13 public waters in the Foothills & Piedmont region — 1 lakes/reservoirs and 12 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 Norman (32,500 ac) north of Charlotte — the largest man-made lake in North Carolina. Spotted Bass have largely taken over from largemouth over the blueback-herring forage; a strong striped- and hybrid-bass fishery (the Marshall Steam Station and McGuire Nuclear hot holes), White Perch by the thousand, Crappie in the brush, and trophy blue and Flathead Catfish. Heavily developed, heavily fished.
South Fork Catawba River runs 90 km through Gaston, Lincoln and Catawba Counties, North Carolina: 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.
Buffalo Creek runs 48 km through Cleveland and Lincoln 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.
Indian Creek runs 18 km through Lincoln, Gaston and Catawba 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.
Clark Creek (26 km) flows through Catawba and Lincoln 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 Lincoln, Gaston and Catawba Counties, North Carolina, Killian Creek is a 19 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 Lincoln and Gaston Counties, North Carolina, Leepers Creek is a 16 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.
Hoyle Creek runs 3 km through Gaston and Lincoln 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.
Pott Creek runs 2 km through Catawba and Lincoln 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.
Lincoln and Catawba Counties, North Carolina — Howards Creek is a 14 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.
Forney Creek (11 km) flows through Lincoln 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.
Lippard Creek runs 9 km through Lincoln and Catawba 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.
Lincoln and Catawba Counties, North Carolina — Ballard Creek is a 8 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.
Across its mapped waters, Lincoln County holds 20 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, 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.