The Best Places To Fish in North Carolina
Everywhere you turn in The Tar Heel State you find water to fish, much of it with excellent fishing. Bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, trout, sunfish, perch, salmon, stripers, pike and muskie appear in various lakes, offering a multitude of choices for anglers. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing opportunities in the state, for a variety of fish species.
North Carolina boasts an abundance of prime fishing spots, offering anglers a wide range of species to target. From freshwater lakes and rivers to the bountiful coastal waters, the state provides ample opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. Some of the best places to fish in North Carolina include the Outer Banks, renowned for its world-class saltwater fishing. Anglers can target species such as red drum, speckled trout, flounder, and striped bass, among others. Inland, the state's lakes and rivers, including Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, and the Catawba River, provide excellent fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is another popular destination for trout fishing, with its pristine streams teeming with rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout. Whether you prefer saltwater or freshwater fishing, North Carolina offers diverse and rewarding opportunities to reel in some of the most sought-after species in the region.
North Carolina's Top-Five, Amazing Fishing Spots
- Jordan Lake in North-Central NC
- Lake James in North-Central NC
- Falls Lake in Northeast NC
- Harris Lake in Northeast NC
- High Rock Lake in North-Central NC
Bass and crappie are the main draw at Jordan lake, the most popular lake in the state. Lake James attracts anglers for bass, walleye and crappie. Largemouth bass and catfish are favorites at Falls Lake. Harris Lake is popular for largemouth bass and crappie fishing. High Rock Lake draws fishing enthusiasts for bass, crappie, catfish and striper fishing. Learn more...
Most Popular Fish Species In North Carolina
Black and white crappie are both found across the state, with black crappie the most dominant of the two. Spotted, redeye, smallmouth and largemouth bass all reside in the state. Walleye are popular for their great taste. NC is big striper country, including hybrid stripers (wipers). With great river systems feeding local lakes, catfish thrive and grow to bragging sizes. Learn more...
Top Three Crappie Fishing Lakes in North Carolina
- Jordan Lake in North-Central NC
- Falls Lake in Northeast NC
- High Rock Lake in North-Central NC
The number one fish species for NC anglers is crappie. Both black and white crappie grace the waters of the Tar Heel State. Black Crappie tend to run a little larger on average than the whites. Both put up a nice fight on light line and make a great fish fry. Learn more...
The Three Best Bass Fishing Lakes in North Carolina
- High Rock Lake in North-Central NC
- Fontana Lake in Western NC
- Harris Lake in Northeast NC
Because NC has so many great bass-fishing lakes, it's hard to choose just three. These get great acclaim and consistently produce good numbers of quality bass. All three are favorites for bass tournaments. Learn more...
Top Three Walleye Fishing Lakes in North Carolina
- Fontana Lake in Western NC
- Jordan Lake in North-Central NC
- Lake Gaston in Northern NC
Although not native to NC waters, walleye have been stocked in many lakes throughout the state. They prefer colder water and seem to excel in larger, deeper lakes. Year to year, walleye fishing can fluctuate from poor to great in any body of water. However, Fontana Lake, Jordan Lake and Lake Gaston seem to remain at the top of most anglers favorites list. Learn more...
Top Three Lakes To Fish For Stripers in North Carolina
- Lake Norman in Central NC
- Lake Gaston in Northern NC
- Badin Lake in Central NC
Over a dozen reservoirs in the state are home to stripers and/or hybrid striped bass. Lake Norman, Lake Gaston and Badin Lake are three of the most popular, and consistently produce nice catches in both size and quantity. Stripers over 20 pounds are common, larger one are not uncommon. Learn more...
Top Three Lakes To Fish For Catfish in North Carolina
- Lake Norman in Central NC
- Lake Waccamaw in Southeast NC
- Lake Gaston in Northern NC
Lakes and rivers across the state have quality populations of one or more catfish species. Channel, flathead, blue and white catfish all thrive here. Lake Norman, Lake Waccamaw and Lake Gaston are great choices. Learn more...
Enjoy these top spots to go fishing in North Carolina
Find the best places to fish, by state.
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