57 public waters in the Foothills & Piedmont region — 34 lakes/reservoirs and 23 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.
Falls Lake (12,400 ac) north of Raleigh — Largemouth Bass, Crappie, White Perch, Bream, channel and Blue Catfish, and stocked Striped Bass. A NCWRC bass-tournament-heavy Piedmont lake with the Falls Lake State Recreation Area on much of the shoreline.
Wake, Durham and Granville Counties, North Carolina — Brinkley Lake is a 11,984-acre lake, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission (public boating access / fishing area): An NCWRC Community Fishing Program lake — a small town or county lake stocked frequently with Channel Catfish, Bluegill, redear and Largemouth Bass (and Rainbow Trout in the cool months), managed for easy bank and pier access close to where people live.
Harris Lake (4,100 ac) southwest of Raleigh — the nuclear-plant cooling reservoir is North Carolina's premier trophy-largemouth lake (warm water, aquatic grass, and a 5-fish/one-over-20-inch slot that protects big fish). Also Crappie, Bream and Channel Catfish.
Harris Lake (Shearon Harris Reservoir) in Wake/Chatham counties was built in the 1970s as makeup-water supply for the Harris Nuclear Plant's cooling tower. Little shoreline development and good nutrient/vegetation balance have made it one of North Carolina's best largemouth bass lakes, alongside black crappie, sunfish, multiple catfish species, chain pickerel and white perch.
Wake County's Lake Wheeler is a compact 561-acre Piedmont lake where largemouth bass fishing anchors the program, with yellow and white perch adding seasonal depth. Channel and blue catfish, black crappie, and bluegill make it a versatile choice for anglers seeking variety near the Research Triangle.
In Wake County, North Carolina, Lake Crabtree is a 454-acre lake, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission. A Piedmont water-supply or Corps reservoir (Jordan, Falls, Randleman, Shearon Harris, Belews, Hyco, Mayo) — Largemouth Bass (Harris is a trophy-bass lake with a warm-water discharge), a strong Crappie and white-Perch fishery, Bream, channel and Blue Catfish, and stocked striped or Hybrid Bass on several.
Lake Benson (392 acres) sits in Wake 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 Wake County, North-Carolina, Lake Johnson is a 146-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 Wake County, North Carolina, Brier Creek Reservoir is a 110-acre lake, managed by Unknown. A Piedmont water-supply or Corps reservoir (Jordan, Falls, Randleman, Shearon Harris, Belews, Hyco, Mayo) — Largemouth Bass (Harris is a trophy-bass lake with a warm-water discharge), a strong Crappie and white-Perch fishery, Bream, channel and Blue Catfish, and stocked striped or Hybrid Bass on several.
Sunset Lake (100 acres) sits in Wake 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.
Lochmere Lake (76 acres) sits in Wake 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.
Lake Raleigh (68 acres) sits in Wake 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.
Lake Myra (55 acres) sits in Wake 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.
Wake Forest Reservoir (53 acres) sits in Wake 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.
Lake Lynn (51 acres) sits in Wake 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 Halifax and Wake Counties, North Carolina, Johnson Pond is a 49-acre lake, managed by NC Wildlife Resources Commission (public boating access / fishing area). An NCWRC Community Fishing Program lake — a small town or county lake stocked frequently with Channel Catfish, Bluegill, redear and Largemouth Bass (and Rainbow Trout in the cool months), managed for easy bank and pier access close to where people live.
Wake County, North-Carolina — Bond Lake is a 44-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.
Apex Community Lake, a 39-acre lake in Wake 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.
Shelley Lake (35 acres) sits in Wake 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 Wake County, North-Carolina, Panther Lake is a 32-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.
Lake Betz, a 31-acre lake in Wake 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.
Big Lake, a 31-acre lake in Wake 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.
Greshams Lake (31 acres) sits in Wake 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.
MacGregor Downs Lake, a 29-acre lake in Wake 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.
Crabtree Creek Watershed, a 25-acre lake in Wake 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.
Regency Lake (22 acres) sits in Wake 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.
Wake County, North-Carolina — Yates Mill Pond is a 22-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.
Cary Park Lake, a 22-acre lake in Wake 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 Wake County, North-Carolina, Johnsons Pond 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.
Wake County, North-Carolina — Dunnaway Pond 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.
Loch Lomond (18 acres) sits in Wake 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.
Wake County, North-Carolina — Castlebury Lake 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.
Wake County, North-Carolina — Reedy Creek Lake is a 17-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.
Privette Lake Number One, a 17-acre lake in Wake 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 Craven, Johnston, Wayne and 3 more counties in North Carolina, Neuse River is a 424 km river or creek. A North Carolina Coastal-Plain river (Cape Fear, Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Lumber, Black, Northeast Cape Fear, White Oak, Chowan, Waccamaw) — Largemouth Bass, big Redbreast Sunfish and Bluegill, Chain Pickerel, Bowfin and Gar, channel and Flathead Catfish, and a spring striped-bass and American-Shad run on the Cape Fear, Neuse and Tar. Blackwater and swamp paddling.
Little River (94 km) flows through Johnston, Wayne, Wake 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.
Johnston and Wake Counties, North Carolina — Middle Creek is a 45 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 Johnston and Wake Counties, North Carolina, Black Creek is a 30 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.
Crabtree Creek (27 km) flows through Wake 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.
Walnut Creek (19 km) flows through Wake 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 Wake, Chatham, Harnett and 1 more county in North Carolina, Buckhorn 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.
White Oak Creek runs 1 km through Wake and Chatham 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.
Wake and Franklin Counties, North Carolina — Horse 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.
Little Lick Creek (11 km) flows through Durham and Wake 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 Granville, Wake and Durham Counties, North Carolina, Ledge Creek is a 11 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.
Neills Creek runs 10 km through Harnett and Wake 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.
Wake and Durham Counties, North Carolina — Sycamore Creek is a 10 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 Wake, Granville and Franklin Counties, North Carolina, New Light 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.
Lower Barton Creek (7 km) flows through Wake 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.
Stirrup Iron Creek runs 9 km through Durham and Wake 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 Harnett and Wake Counties, North Carolina, Kenneth 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.
Kit Creek (7 km) flows through Wake, Chatham and Durham 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 Wake County, North Carolina, Marsh 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.
Upper Barton Creek runs 8 km through Wake 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 Wake and Johnston Counties, North Carolina, Whiteoak 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.
In Wake County, North Carolina, Little White Oak 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.
In Johnston and Wake Counties, North Carolina, Buffalo Creek is a 28 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.
Across its mapped waters, Wake County holds 28 species on PiscaMaps, including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Black Crappie, Redear Sunfish, White Crappie and Blue 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.