34 public waters in the Foothills & Piedmont region — 7 lakes/reservoirs and 27 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.
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).
In Caldwell County, North-Carolina, Rink Lake is a 3,362-acre lake, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
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).
This 903-acre Caldwell County impoundment in North Carolina's mountains offers solid action for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, with striped bass adding seasonal variety. Catfish anglers will find excellent opportunities for channel, flathead, and blue catfish, while black and white crappie round out a well-rounded warmwater fishery managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Shuford Pond, a 78-acre lake in Caldwell County, North-Carolina, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Caldwell County, North-Carolina, Old Millpond is a 76-acre lake, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Caldwell County, North Carolina, Old Millpond Lake is a 76-acre lake, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission (public boating access / fishing area). An NCWRC Community Fishing Program lake — a small town or county lake stocked frequently with Channel Catfish, Bluegill, redear and Largemouth Bass (and Rainbow Trout in the cool months), managed for easy bank and pier access close to where people live.
In Davidson, Wilkes, Yadkin and 3 more counties in North Carolina, Yadkin River is a 314 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.
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.
Middle Little River (39 km) flows through Alexander and Caldwell 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.
Elk Creek runs 33 km through Watauga, Wilkes and Caldwell 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.
Caldwell County, North Carolina — Gunpowder Creek is a 22 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.
Alexander and Caldwell Counties, North Carolina — Duck Creek is a 16 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.
In Avery and Caldwell Counties, North Carolina, Harper Creek is a 12 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.
Lost Cove Creek (5 km) flows through Avery and Caldwell 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 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.
Caldwell County, North Carolina — Mountain Run is a 11 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.
Little Gunpowder Creek runs 10 km through Caldwell 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.
Zacks Fork Creek (11 km) flows through Caldwell 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.
Husband Creek (12 km) flows through Caldwell 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.
Joes Creek runs 10 km through Watauga and Caldwell 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.
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.
In Caldwell County, North Carolina, Blair Fork is a 10 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.
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.
Caldwell County, North Carolina — Abingdon Creek is a 8 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.
Thunderhole Creek (8 km) flows through Caldwell 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.
Rockhouse Creek runs 8 km through Avery and Caldwell 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 Caldwell County, North Carolina, Celia 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.
Beaver Creek runs 12 km through Wilkes and Caldwell 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.
Across its mapped waters, Caldwell County holds 31 species on PiscaMaps, including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Spotted Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Bowfin and Longnose Gar.
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.