One of a Kind Dining at the English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill

English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill in Sevierville has been offering one of the most distinctive dining experiences in the Smoky Mountains since 1962: you fish for your meal in a stocked pond, hand it to the kitchen, and eat it minutes later. No fishing license required. No prior experience necessary. The fish, it turns out, are extremely catchable.

How it works

The format is simple. Arrive at English Mountain Trout Farm, grab a cane pole with a hook and bait (provided), and try your luck in the pond — a small, freshwater trout farm fed by a natural creek that keeps the water cold and the fish healthy. The rainbow trout in the pond are fat, active, and decidedly catchable; most visitors who want to catch a fish catch one. When you've got your fish, you hand it to the kitchen and choose your preparation: blackened, lemon peppered, or fried. The kitchen does the rest, and the fish arrives at your table with sides as fresh as any meal you're likely to have in the Smokies.

You can also skip the fishing entirely and simply order a meal — the kitchen cooks the farm's trout whether you caught it or not, and the meal is equally fresh either way. If you'd rather take fish home, the farm also sells trout by the pound at market price to take with you. The flexibility of the format makes it work for groups where some members want the fishing experience and others just want a good trout dinner.

The setting

English Mountain Trout Farm sits in one of the most quietly scenic spots in the Sevierville area — a green, wooded property on Blowing Cave Road with tables arranged around the trout pond, a patio overhanging the creek, and indoor dining for when the weather doesn't cooperate. The pond itself is the focal point: you eat while watching other visitors fish, which is its own form of entertainment. The farm has been family-owned and operated since 1962, and the setting has the accumulated character of a place that hasn't changed much in six decades — which is part of the appeal. It appeared on Guy Fieri's All American Road Trip on the Food Network, and it consistently ranks among the most highly rated restaurants in Sevierville on Tripadvisor, holding the top 5 among over 200 Sevierville restaurants.

Practical details

English Mountain Trout Farm is located at 291 Blowing Cave Road in Sevierville — approximately 15 to 20 minutes from Pigeon Forge and 25 to 30 minutes from Gatlinburg, off the main Parkway corridor. No fishing license is required for the pond; the farm handles all the logistics. The property is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM and closed on Sundays. Hours may vary seasonally — call ahead if you're visiting outside of peak season. The drive from the Parkway to Blowing Cave Road is scenic and worth making even if you've never particularly wanted to catch your own dinner.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to fish to eat at English Mountain Trout Farm?

No — you can walk up to the counter and order a meal without fishing at all. The kitchen cooks farm trout regardless of whether you caught it yourself. The fishing is an option, not a requirement. Many visitors who come with young children or mixed-enthusiasm groups find this flexibility helpful — some fish, some order directly, and everyone eats at the same time.

Is English Mountain Trout Farm good for kids?

Yes — it's one of the better family activity-and-meal combinations in the Sevierville area. Young children don't need fishing experience; the cane pole and heavily stocked pond are designed to produce catches without skill. The combination of the fishing activity and a meal gives the visit a natural structure that works well for families. Arrive before noon during peak summer weekends to avoid the busiest window.