17 public waters in the Mountains region — 4 lakes/reservoirs and 13 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.
Fontana Lake (10,600 ac) — a deep, clear TVA lake wrapped by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala forest. Smallmouth and Spotted Bass on the bluffs and points, largemouth in the coves, Walleye, Muskellunge and White Bass, plus a winter Crappie bite. Much of the shoreline is roadless park — boat access only.
Graham County, North Carolina — Santeetlah Lake is a 2,638-acre lake, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission: 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.
Lake Santeetlah near Robbinsville is most popular for largemouth bass, spotted bass and bluegill, with rainbow trout stocked spring and fall for a strong seasonal trout fishery alongside smallmouth bass, crappie and walleye.
Calderwood Lake, a 556-acre lake in Graham and Swain Counties, North Carolina, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission: 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 Swain, Macon and Graham Counties, North Carolina, Little Tennessee River is a 140 km river or creek. A western North Carolina river (French Broad, Nolichucky, Watauga, Tuckasegee, Little Tennessee, Hiwassee, New River) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and shoals, largemouth in the slow water, redbreast and Rock Bass, and a nationally-known Muskellunge fishery (the French Broad and Little Tennessee). Cold tailwaters below the dams hold Trout.
Snowbird Creek (26 km) flows through Graham and Cherokee 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.
Valley River (48 km) flows through Cherokee and Graham 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.
Swain and Graham Counties, North Carolina — Hazel Creek is a 20 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 Graham and Swain Counties, North Carolina, Cheoah River is a 30 km river or creek. A western North Carolina river (French Broad, Nolichucky, Watauga, Tuckasegee, Little Tennessee, Hiwassee, New River) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and shoals, largemouth in the slow water, redbreast and Rock Bass, and a nationally-known Muskellunge fishery (the French Broad and Little Tennessee). Cold tailwaters below the dams hold Trout.
Santeetlah Creek (16 km) flows through Graham 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.
In Graham and Cherokee Counties, North Carolina, Little Snowbird Creek is a 14 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.
Graham and Swain Counties, North Carolina — Tulula Creek is a 12 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.
West Buffalo Creek runs 9 km through Graham 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.
In Graham County, North Carolina, Yellow 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.
Stecoah Creek runs 8 km through Graham and Swain 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.
Graham County, North Carolina — Sawyer Creek is a 7 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.
In Graham County, North Carolina, South Fork Citico Creek is a 3 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.
Across its mapped waters, Graham County holds 19 species on PiscaMaps, including Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Walleye.
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.