Welcome to the fishing permitting system for Cherokee, North Carolina.

Purchasing a permit is easy. It starts with a seven-digit sportsman number. If you don’t know what that is, it’s likely you don’t have one, so begin by registering. You’ll immediately receive your tribal sportsman number. The sportsman number will be located above your name once you are registered.

With your sportsman number handy, you’re ready to purchase your sport fishing license, which can be easily printed from your home computer.

You are required to carry your tribal permit with you at all times while fishing on the Qualla Boundary (otherwise known as the Cherokee Indian Reservation).

Opening day for general fishing waters is the last Saturday in March, with fishing closed to everyone two weeks prior to that date. Trophy fly-fishing waters are open year-round.

PLEASE NOTE:
• DO NOT USE THE BACK BUTTON AT ANY TIME WHILE ENTERING INFORMATION.
• To make additional purchases, begin your next purchase from the Home Page.
• Refunds are only authorized for system errors and cancelled EBCI fishing tournaments.
• Visit https://fishcherokee.com for additional information.
• Have questions? Call Paula at (828) 788-3013 or email at paprice@nc-cherokee.com.
• To report violations call (828) 497-4131.
• To pay fines, contact the EBCI Justice Center at (828) 359-1075.

Key metrics related to COVID-19 will continue to be monitored. Restrictions may be re-instated or new ones implemented if trends indicate the need. FWM reserves the right to cancel, re-schedule or amend any tournament or event due to catastrophes, pandemics, states of emergency, adverse weather, etc.





If you’d like to purchase a permit while you’re in Cherokee, visit:
 
 

To pay fines or report any resource violations call 828.554.6166/6168.