23 public waters in the Mountains region — 4 lakes/reservoirs and 19 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on an North Carolina licence.
See every public fishing venue in North Carolina on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Lake James (6,800 ac) at the headwaters of the Catawba in the Blue Ridge foothills — one of the few North Carolina lakes with all three black basses plus a strong smallmouth population, Walleye, Muskellunge, White Bass and Crappie. Clear, deep, mountain-fed water inside Lake James State Park.
In Catawba, Alexander, Caldwell and 1 more county in North Carolina, Lake Hickory is a 3,792-acre lake, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission. A Duke Energy reservoir on the Catawba River (Norman, Hickory, Rhodhiss, Lookout Shoals, Mountain Island, Wylie) — largemouth and Spotted Bass over docks, brush and blueback herring, a strong white-Perch and Crappie fishery, trophy blue and Flathead Catfish, and a stocked striped- and hybrid-bass fishery (Lake Norman is the flagship).
Rhodhiss Lake (2,122 acres) sits in Burke and Caldwell Counties, North Carolina, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission. A Duke Energy reservoir on the Catawba River (Norman, Hickory, Rhodhiss, Lookout Shoals, Mountain Island, Wylie) — largemouth and Spotted Bass over docks, brush and blueback herring, a strong white-Perch and Crappie fishery, trophy blue and Flathead Catfish, and a stocked striped- and hybrid-bass fishery (Lake Norman is the flagship).
Broughton Hospital Reservoir (17 acres) sits in Burke County, North Carolina, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission (public boating access / fishing area). A western North Carolina mountain lake (TVA, Duke or a municipal reservoir) — deep, clear, cool water with smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Walleye, Muskellunge, White Bass and a winter Crappie bite, plus stocked rainbow and Brown Trout near the cold dam releases. Fontana, Nantahala, Santeetlah, Glenville and the Hiwassee/Chatuge lakes.
In Catawba, Mecklenburg, Burke and 3 more counties in North Carolina, Catawba River is a 258 km river or creek. A Piedmont North Carolina river (Yadkin, Catawba, Haw, Deep, Eno, Dan, Rocky, Uwharrie) — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Bream, channel and Flathead Catfish, and a growing Muskellunge fishery. Wade or paddle; access at NCWRC ramps, parks and bridges.
Catawba and Burke Counties, North Carolina — Jacob Fork is a 52 km stream: A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
Burke, Catawba and Rutherford Counties, North Carolina — Henry Fork is a 36 km stream: A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
Johns River runs 57 km through Caldwell, Burke and Watauga Counties, North Carolina: A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
Wilson Creek (25 km) flows through Caldwell, Avery and Burke Counties, North Carolina. A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
Lower Creek runs 29 km through Caldwell and Burke Counties, North Carolina: A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
In Rutherford, McDowell and Burke Counties, North Carolina, Cane Creek is a 15 km river or creek. A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
In Burke, Avery and McDowell Counties, North Carolina, Linville River is a 69 km river or creek. A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
Drowning Creek (12 km) flows through Burke County, North Carolina. A warmwater North Carolina river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at NCWRC ramps, county landings and bridges.
In Caldwell and Burke Counties, North Carolina, Smoky Creek is a 12 km river or creek. A warmwater North Carolina river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at NCWRC ramps, county landings and bridges.
Laurel Creek (9 km) flows through Burke County, North Carolina. A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
Burke County, North Carolina — Ball Alley Creek is a 6 km stream: A warmwater North Carolina river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at NCWRC ramps, county landings and bridges.
McGalliard Creek runs 2 km through Burke and Caldwell Counties, North Carolina: A warmwater North Carolina river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at NCWRC ramps, county landings and bridges.
Island Creek runs 8 km through Burke and Caldwell Counties, North Carolina: A warmwater North Carolina river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at NCWRC ramps, county landings and bridges.
Camp Creek (8 km) flows through Catawba and Burke Counties, North Carolina. A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
Stafford Creek (8 km) flows through Caldwell and Burke Counties, North Carolina. A warmwater North Carolina river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at NCWRC ramps, county landings and bridges.
Bristol Creek runs 8 km through Burke and Caldwell Counties, North Carolina: A warmwater North Carolina river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at NCWRC ramps, county landings and bridges.
In Burke and Caldwell Counties, North Carolina, White Mill Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater North Carolina river or large creek — largemouth and Spotted Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at NCWRC ramps, county landings and bridges.
In Burke County, North Carolina, Parks Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A North Carolina Public Mountain Trout Water — the classification (Hatchery Supported, Wild Trout, Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release/Fly, Wild Trout Natural Bait) sets the season, tackle and creel. Wild and stocked rainbow, brown and native brook ('specks') Trout. A Mountain Trout privilege is required in addition to the fishing licence.
Across its mapped waters, Burke County holds 23 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the North Carolina map Join PiscaMapsOne North Carolina fishing licence covers every public water in the state — resident annual about $15, non-resident annual about $50, with non-resident 1-day and 3-day options. A separate North Carolina trout licence (~$10 res / ~$20 non-res) is required to fish for or possess trout, and Public Fishing Area ponds also need a North Carolina Lands Pass. North Carolina residents 65+ fish free. Buy at GoOutdoorsNorth Carolina.com.