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Fontana Lake has been called
the best-kept secret in the mountains
 The
29-mile long, 11,700-acre Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) lake has
more than 240 miles of shoreline. And its deep, cold
waters provide the ideal habitat for a variety of fish. In fact, record
size muskie and walleye have been pulled from its depths. And many
believe it’s one of the best smallmouth bass fishing lakes in
the country, including the Fisherman’s Bass Tournament Circuit,
which held its annual Hall of Fame Classic at Fontana in Fall 2001.
Fontana
Lake is unique in many ways. Unlike most lakes in the area, shoreline
development has been kept to a minimum. More than 90 percent of the
land around the Lake is owned by either the National Park Service or
the US Forest Service. Maps of the Lake are available at local fishing
stores.
Fontana Lake provides a number of recreational
diversions including fishing, boating and water skiing. And the scenery
from the lake is unmatched. Those fortunate enough to go boating on
Fontana Lake have a unique perspective of the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park. At places the view is unobstructed from the lake level
to the top of towering Clingmans Dome, the Park's highest peak.
There are a number of private boat
docks and marinas where boats can be rented (see below).
Public Boat Ramps — If
you're towing your own boat, TVA has several public access areas; two
are close to Bryson City. The Old 288 ramp is west of town; turn off
Everett Street next to the Family Dollar Store and continue several
miles staying next to the Tuckasegee River. The Lemons Branch ramp
is west of town; follow Highway 74, then turn North on Highway 28;
look for the Tsali Recreation Area on your right and follow signs to
boat launch.
For a guide to water activities in Swain County, click here for a downloadable PDF.
| Alarka Boat Dock |
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| Fontana Guide Service |
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| Almond Boat & RV Park |
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| PaddleFish Kayaking, Inc. |
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| Smoky Mountain Jet Boats |
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Bryson City - Swain County
Chamber of Commerce
& Visitor Center
210 Main Street
P.O. Box 509
Bryson City, NC 28713
Karen Wilmot, Director
800-867-9246 toll-free
828-488-3681 local
828-488-6858 fax |
Fontana
Dam itself is an engineering marvel. When completed in November
1944 to produce electricity for the war effort, the 480-foot-high
dam became the highest in the Eastern United States and the
fourth highest in the nation. The story of its origin is effectively
portrayed at the Fontana Dam Visitor Center (Open May to November,
9 am – 7 pm, daily).