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Published on: 06/12/2026

Gatlinburg receives Municipal League’s Innovation Award

Gatlinburg trout facility
Gatlinburg's Trout Facility and Trout Program is a trout rearing facility, producing and stocking approximately 40,000–50,000 trout annually into Gatlinburg’s streams while integrating education and conservation into recreation. (Photo by Gatlinburg)

Known as the gateway to the country’s most visited national park, Gatlinburg plays a unique role in outdoor adventure and recreation for millions while also delivering quality-of-life amenities for local residents.   

Gatlinburg trout rearing facility
Approximately 40,000–50,000 trout are stocked in local waterways each year by the city, meaning that municipal employees take an active role in fish production, stream management, and recreation. One of the facility's other major roles is in education, teaching the public - and especially youngsters - about conservation, sustainability, fish biology, aquatic ecosystems,  and water quality. (Photo by Gatlinburg)

One of the city’s more unique municipal initiatives is the Gatlinburg Trout Facility and Trout Program, which produces and stocks approximately 40,000–50,000 trout annually into Gatlinburg’s streams while integrating education and conservation into recreation. 

For managing a unique program that combines sustainable resource management, public recreation, and experiential education, the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) is proud to honor Gatlinburg with the Innovation Award. 

Established in the 1980s to ensure a consistent, high-quality fishing experience for residents and visitors, the thriving fishery is also a hands-on learning environment and hosts thousands of visitors annually through school field trips, tours, and outreach efforts. Guests learn about fish biology, aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and environmental stewardship.  

Managing the facility in-house has saved the city money, reducing reliance on third-party suppliers and allowing more control over fish health, size, and the stocking schedule. This enables the city to respond quickly to seasonal demand and environmental conditions.  

The program combines fish production, stream management, recreation, and education within the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Staff serve dual roles as technicians and educators, extending the value of city resources without need for additional staff or separate programs.   

Gatlinburg fishing
Fishing in local rivers is one of the many outdoor pursuits that draw people to Gatlinburg. To both ensure anglers enjoy their visit and fish populations are sustainabily maintained, the city of Gatlinburg developed its own trout facility, one of few such municipal facilities in the country. (Photo by Gatlinburg)

This initiative maintains Gatlinburg as a premier fishing destination with consistently stocked streams and support for the tourist-driven economy. The program has directly contributed to visitor spending on fishing licenses and supply purchases. The program has operated for more than 40 years, demonstrating its long-term suitability, adaptability, and the commitment of the municipality.  

The program also requires sustainable management of waterways throughout the city, ensuring that natural assets are accessible and healthy for residents and visitors alike. This has positive impact on the waterways that flow into and out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  

Gatlinburg is the only city in Tennessee and one of a handful nationwide that operates a municipal trout facility of this scale. Most importantly, the knowledge gained through the conservation and environmental practices at the facility has cultivated tens of thousands of future stewards of Tennessee’s natural resources, ensuring the unique natural beauty that fuels Gatlinburg’s economy and sense of community will be maintained for generations to come.   

 

 

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