12 public waters in the Mountains region — 4 lakes/reservoirs and 8 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.
Lake Tahoma (166 acres) sits in McDowell County, 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.
Lake Calhoun, a 77-acre lake in McDowell 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 McDowell County, North-Carolina, Structure Number Two C Lake is a 21-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 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.
In Rutherford, McDowell and Cleveland Counties, North Carolina, Second Broad River is a 77 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.
In Rutherford and McDowell Counties, North Carolina, Cove Creek is a 22 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 Yancey, Mitchell and McDowell Counties, North Carolina, Big Crabtree Creek is a 18 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.
Cedar Creek runs 14 km through Rutherford, Buncombe and McDowell 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 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.
Big Camp Creek runs 12 km through Rutherford and McDowell 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.
Across its mapped waters, McDowell County holds 21 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Spotted Bass, Flathead Catfish, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Smallmouth Bass.
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.