If you are thinking about traveling to North Carolina or are a full-time resident in NC, you will want to bookmark this post, so you can check off my ten favorite freshwater fishing destinations in our state.
These spots are my favorite freshwater destinations in the state that I have discovered in the last 15 years of fishing in the mountains, the piedmont, and the coast.
I live along the coast, so leaving the saltwater in my backyard takes one heck of a spot, and NC has no shortage of them. If you live on the coast, don’t worry; you don’t have to travel to the mountains, as there are plenty of productive fishing holes within a couple of hours.
Before we start, let’s cover some basics you will need to remember before wetting a line in NC.
Things to Know Before You Go
First, you need a North Carolina fishing license, which can be easily obtained here. You can also purchase a 3-day or 7-day tourist license if you only visit for a short period.
Next, you should know the size requirements to keep your catch and bag limits. North Carolina has different size and creel limits for inland and coastal waters, so check the NC fishing regulations before heading out.
In addition to licenses and regulations, you want to be sure you have the best rod and reel for the specific destination you choose and a fishing line to match up with your setup. For a guide on which type of fishing line to select, check out this page here.
It is also important to note that, while some of these bodies of water do not allow boats, you can still utilize a fishing kayak setup if that is something you would prefer! With North Carolina permitting paddling and kayaking on over 5,000 waterways, it is clear that kayak fishing is permitted here to stay!”
Finally, checking the NC fishing reports is always a good idea.
For freshwater fishing reports in NC, check out this interactive map.
Now that we have that out of the way let’s get to the good stuff – my ten favorite freshwater fishing destinations in NC!
10 Best Freshwater Fishing Destinations in NC
Linville River
This river is located in the western part of the state near Asheville and is one of my favorites. The Linville River is a tailwater that flows out of Lake James and is home to many species, including trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish.
Tuckasegee River
The Tuckasegee River is another excellent option for those looking to fish in the western mountains of NC. This river flows out of Fontana Lake and is known for its large population of brown trout.
Nantahala River
The Nantahala River is located in the southwest corner of the state near Franklin. This river is an excellent option for those looking to catch trout, as it is stocked regularly by the NCWRC.
Roanoke River
The Roanoke River is located in the northeastern part of the state near Rocky Mount. This river is an exceptional option for those looking to catch striped bass, shad, and catfish.
Cape Fear River
The Cape Fear River is located near Wilmington’s southeastern part of the state. This river is an great option for those looking to catch red drums, striped bass, and flounder.
This is the longest river in NC, so you have plenty of options on where to cast on the Cape Fear.
Yadkin River
The Yadkin River is located in the central part of the state near Winston-Salem. This river is an excellent option for those looking to fly fish in very serene settings. Expect to land all species of trout as this river is plentiful.
Neuse River
The Neuse River is located near New Bern in the eastern part of the state.
To the south of New Bern, you can expect to catch striped bass, southern flounder, Atlantic croaker, bluefish, gray trout, and channel bass.
North of New Bern, you can expect to find more freshwater species like largemouth bass, catfish, and yellow and white perch.
High Rock Lake
High Rock Lake is an artificial lake located in the central part of the state near Lexington. This lake is an excellent option for those looking to catch largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie.
Lake Waccamaw
Lake Waccamaw is a natural lake located in the southeastern part of the state, only 45 minutes from downtown Wilmington. This lake is an excellent option for those looking to catch largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie.
Jordan Lake
Jordan Lake is a man-made lake located in the central part of the state near Raleigh. This lake is a great option for those looking to catch largemouth bass, striped bass, and catfish.
So there you have it- my ten favorite freshwater fishing destinations in NC. I hope this list has helped you narrow down where you want to travel for your next fishing trip in North Carolina!
