25 public waters in the Mountains region — 3 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.
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.
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 County, North Carolina, Cheoah Valley Lake is a 13-acre lake, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission (public boating access / fishing area). 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.
The Tuckasegee ('the Tuck') — a Delayed-Harvest Trout tailwater through Dillsboro and Bryson City in the cold months, then a smallmouth-bass and redbreast river in summer. Dam releases from the Duke lakes drive the flow; a very popular guided float.
Nantahala River (77 km) flows through Macon, Swain and Clay 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.
Alarka Creek (18 km) flows through Swain and Jackson 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.
Deep Creek (4 km) flows through Swain 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.
Big Creek (12 km) flows through Haywood 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.
Soco Creek (14 km) flows through Jackson and Swain 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.
Noland Creek (13 km) flows through Swain 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.
Forney Creek (13 km) flows through Swain 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.
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 Prong Little River flows through Swain 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.
In Swain County, North Carolina, Raven Fork is a 27 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.
Swain County, North Carolina — Eagle 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.
Swain County, North Carolina — Left Fork Deep Creek is a 9 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.
Indian Creek runs 10 km through Swain 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.
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.
Straight Fork Raven Fork runs 2 km through Swain and Haywood 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.
Walker Camp Prong runs 5 km through Swain 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.
Swain and Jackson Counties, North Carolina — Connelly Creek is a 9 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.
Mill Creek (4 km) flows through Swain 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.
Across its mapped waters, Swain County holds 18 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Brown Trout, Spotted Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout and Flathead Catfish.
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.