Fontana Lake is located in western North Carolina, approximately 20 miles north of
Robbinsville on Highway 28 North, and approximately a quarter mile off US 74 (Great
Smoky Mountain Expressway) on the opposite end of Highway 28 which is about 8 miles
past Bryson City.
The 29 mile long Fontana Lake has more than 240 miles of almost totally undeveloped
shoreline. More than 90 percent of the land around the lake is owned by either the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the US Forest Service and development has
been kept to a minimum. Fontana Dam, completed in 1944, stands 480 foot high and
is the highest dam in the Eastern United States and the fourth highest in the country.
The Appalachian Trail runs right across the top.
Fontana Reservoir is located in Swain and Graham Counties. The Northern side of
the lake is completely surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and
the rest of the shoreline is primarily National Forest. Fontana reservoir provides
some of the best walleye fishing in the state. There are also several other game
fish including: Black bass species, sunfish, crappie, catfish, and white bass.
From Knoxville, Tennessee take Hwy 129 south from Knoxville to Maryville. Just past
Maryville, Hwy129 turns left off of the four lane highway. Caution - part of this
road is a dangerously twisty mountain road. Just past the Tennessee/North Carolina
state line turn left on Hwy 28. Continue on Hwy 28 for 9 miles and you will be at
the western end of the lake, near the dam, and near Fontana Lake Village. Continue
on HWY 28 for approximately 19 more miles. You will be heading towards the eastern
end of the lake. You will be looking for Tsali Campground and Fishing Access / Lemmons
boat launch on the left. Turn left and go approximately 1 1/2 miles until you see
the turnoff for Lemmons boat launch. Turn right, and go approximately 1 more mile.
Once you arrive, find a parking space, gather your belongings, and walk down to the
boat launch ramp where the Captain will be waiting to greet you.
From Asheville, North Carolina take I-40 west. Take the exit for Hwy 74 (Great Smoky
Mountain Expressway). Stay on Hwy 74 (four lane) you will pass Clyde, Sylva, and
8 miles past Bryson City (last chance for most amenities) turn right on to Hwy 28.
Continue on Hwy 28 for approximately 6 miles until you see a sign for Tsali Campground
and Fishing Access and Lemmons Boat Ramp. Turn right, and go approximately 1 1/2
miles until you see the turnoff for Lemmons boat ramp on the right. Turn right, and
go approximately 1 more mile. Once you arrive, find a parking space, gather your
belongings, and walk down to the boat launch ramp where the Captain will be waiting
to greet you.
From North Atlanta, travel north on I-75, I-575, GA 5, US 76, GA & NC 60 North, US
64 east to US 129/19. North of Andrews, take US 19/74 to HWY 28 which is 8 miles
south of Bryson City. Turn left and then go approximately 6 miles until you see a
sign for Tsali Campground and Fishing Access and Lemmons Boat Ramp. Turn right, and
go approximately 1 1/2 miles until you see the turnoff for Lemmons boat ramp on the
right. Turn right, and go approximately 1 more mile. Once you arrive, find a parking
space, gather your belongings, and walk down to the boat launch ramp where the Captain
will be waiting to greet you.
Another route from north Atlanta, north on GA 400 to Dahlonaga then US 19 North to
US 19/74 north of Andrews, take US 19/74 to HWY 28 which is 8 miles south of Bryson
City. Turn left and then go approximately 6 miles until you see a sign for Tsali
Campground and Fishing Access and Lemmons Boat Ramp. Turn right, and go approximately
1 1/2 miles until you see the turnoff for Lemmons boat ramp on the right. Turn right,
and go approximately 1 more mile. Once you arrive, find a parking space, gather your
belongings, and walk down to the boat launch ramp where the Captain will be waiting
to greet you.
From East Atlanta, take I-85 north to 985 north. 985 north turns into US 441. Continue
into NC to the town of Dillsboro. Merge on to Hwy 74 west to Bryson City (last chance
for amenities) turn right on right on to Hwy 28. Go approximately 6 miles until you
see a sign for Tsali Campground and Fishing Access and Lemmons Boat Ramp. Turn right,
and go approximately 1 1/2 miles until you see the turnoff for Lemmons boat ramp
on the right. Turn right, and go approximately 1 more mile. Once you arrive, find
a parking space, gather your belongings, and walk down to the boat launch ramp where
the Captain will be waiting to greet you.
From Chattanooga, Tennessee take I-75 north to exit 60 turn right on US 68 south.
Merge onto US 411 north, turn right on TN 72 and right on US 129. Caution - part
of this road is a dangerously twisty mountain road. Just past the Tennessee /North
Carolina state line turn left on Hwy 28. Continue on Hwy 28 for 9 miles and you will
be at the western end of the lake, near the dam, and near Fontana Lake Village. Continue
on HWY 28 for approximately 19 more miles. You will be heading towards the eastern
end of the lake. You will be looking for Tsali Campground and Fishing Access / Lemmons
boat launch on the left. Turn left and go approximately 1 1/2 miles until you see
the turnoff for Lemmons boat launch. Turn right, and go approximately 1 more mile.
Once you arrive, find a parking space, gather your belongings, and walk down to the
boat launch ramp where the Captain will be waiting to greet you.
