31 public waters in the Foothills & Piedmont region — 9 lakes/reservoirs and 22 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.
Lake Wylie, a 9,566-acre lake in Mecklenburg and Gaston 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).
Mountain Island Lake, a 1,962-acre lake in Mecklenburg and Gaston 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).
In Mecklenburg County, North-Carolina, Charlotte Reservoir is a 34-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.
Mecklenburg County, North-Carolina — Sodyeco Lagoon is a 27-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.
McWhirter Lake, a 19-acre lake in Mecklenburg 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.
Mecklenburg County, North-Carolina — Waverly Lake is a 19-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.
Mecklenburg County, North-Carolina — Griffith Lakes is a 18-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.
Challis Lake (17 acres) sits in Mecklenburg 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 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.
Rocky River (139 km) flows through Cabarrus, Stanly, Anson and 3 more counties in 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.
Sugar Creek (20 km) flows through Mecklenburg 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.
Little Sugar Creek (17 km) flows through Mecklenburg 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.
Sixmile Creek (17 km) flows through Mecklenburg and Union 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.
Catawba Creek runs 16 km through Gaston and Mecklenburg 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 Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, McAlpine 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.
Mallard Creek runs 14 km through Mecklenburg and Cabarrus 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 Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Steele 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.
Clear Creek (12 km) flows through Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union and 1 more county in 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.
Goose Creek (13 km) flows through Union, Mecklenburg and Stanly 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.
North Fork Crooked Creek (11 km) flows through Union and Mecklenburg 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.
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — Paw Creek is a 11 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.
Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties, North Carolina — McDowell Creek is a 12 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.
West Branch Rocky River (6 km) flows through Mecklenburg, Iredell and Cabarrus 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.
Dutchmans Creek runs 10 km through Gaston and Mecklenburg 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.
Iredell and Mecklenburg Counties, North Carolina — Reeds Creek is a 11 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.
Brier Creek runs 10 km through Mecklenburg 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 Cabarrus and Mecklenburg Counties, North Carolina, Caldwell Creek is a 9 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.
Irwin Creek runs 6 km through Mecklenburg 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.
Coffey Creek runs 7 km through Mecklenburg 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 Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Ramah Creek is a 7 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, Mecklenburg County holds 21 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, 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.