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The NC mountains offer an exceptional
trout fishing haven with an estimated 4,000 miles of trout water with
approximately 2,000 miles managed for public fishing. Fly fishing in a North Carolina mountain stream
is enjoyed equally by
experienced fishermen and
beginners alike. NC Trout
waters are designated as
Hatchery Supported Waters,
Delayed Harvest Waters, Wild
Trout Waters, Catch and
Release Waters.
North Carolina fishing in the
mountains offers fishing on
rivers, streams, lakes and
ponds. |
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Western North Carolina Fishing Guide
how to get an NC fishing license, where to fish,
complete guide services |
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Great
Smokies Mountains Fishing Guide |
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Most of North Carolina's Streams are delayed
harvest and stocked twice per year.
North Carolina fishing regulations vary by stream type and time of year. Many of the
state's trout waters are found in the Nantahala and Pisgah National
Forests and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. |
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NC Fishing Regulations and Programs: |
North
Carolina Fishing Regulations
The North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting, & Trapping
Regulations Digest printed booklet is free to the public
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Purchase
a North Carolina Fishing License. Fishing for trout in
waters that are not designated as “Mountain Heritage Trout
Waters,” anglers age 16 and over must have a valid fishing
license and a trout privilege license. |
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Mountain
Heritage Trout Waters Program. This program is a
cooperative effort between the NC Wildlife Resources
Commission and local governments to encourage trout fishing
as a heritage tourism activity in western North Carolina
cities that are designated as a “Mountain Heritage Trout Water
City.” Those cities are:
Newland,
Spruce Pine, Bakersville, Maggie Valley and Waynesville. |
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North Carolina Freshwater Fishing Records.
Can you catch a 54
pound striped bass? or a 24 pound brown trout? Then you might
apply for a North
Carolina Fishing Record |
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NC Fishing Lakes:
Catch trout, bass,
catfish, sunfish |
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NC fishing
Rivers:
Catch trout, bass, sunfish, catfish, perch |
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NC Fishing Blogs and Information: |
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NC Mountain Fishing - Trout Fishing, Fly fishing
NC Cabins with onsite fishing, NC Fishing links |
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Upcoming NC Fishing Tournaments and events: |
 Date:
NC City:
Event: Check
individual
websites for
COVID
restrictions and
current events. |
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NC Fishing Cabins and Vacation
Rentals |
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The cabins and vacation rentals listed here offer
ON
SITE fishing, either right outside the door or walking
distance within the community. Be sure to check
with the owners or property manages about requirements
for fishing licenses or other local regulations covering
each individual property. |
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Cabin on the Nantahala River, |
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Features:
3 bedrooms, 3
baths, sleeps to 8. 1400 ' river
frontage, privacy, quick access to attractions.
Luxury one-of-a kind accommodation with
world-class fishing. |
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| Location: Bryson
City NC |
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Get photos, details and rental availability |
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On the Windfall Private Rentals |
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Features: 1-3 bedrms,
1-2.5 baths, sleeps to 9.
3 distinct rentals in 215 acre gated community.
Mountain view, hot tub, DSL, stocked trout pond,
hiking trails, fireplaces, big porches, awesome
starry nights. |
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| Location:
Near West Jefferson NC |
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Click here for Cabin photos and details |
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Lakefront Mountain Cabin |
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Features: 2 bedrooms, 2
baths, sleeps 4. Private spring-fed lake, dock, fireplace, lake
and mountain view, canoe, WIFI, PET FRIENDLY,
deck overlooking the lake. Fish - swim - boat -
RELAX! |
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| Location: Murphy NC |
See photos, details and availability |
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Riverfront Cottage on the Toe River |
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Features:
3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, sleeps 5 - WIFI, fireplace, gas grill, linens,
Cable TV, PET FRIENDLY |
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Location:
Burnsville NC |
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Click here for Rental photos and details |
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Riverfront Rental
Fish, tube or canoe on New River |
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Features: 2 bedrooms+, 2
baths, sleeps to 8 - 150 ' away.
Stacked stone fireplace, open deck, covered
sleeping porch |
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| Location: near
Sparta NC on the NC border |
See rental photos and availability |
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Luxury lakefront Cottages |
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Features:
4 Cottages,
3-6 bedrooms, 2-5 baths
- private docks, canoe,
awesome lake to mountain views. luxurious
bedding & linens, fireplace, lakeside hammock,
WIFI. |
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| Location: on
Lake Glenville 8 miles from Cashiers |
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Click here for Cabins photos and rental details |
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Catfish Cottage |
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Features:
1 bedroom, sleeps up to 4. Private dock, AC,
Internet, deck, grill, canoe, kayak |
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| Location: near
Boone and Blowing Rock, 17 miles S of VA |
See photos, details and availability |
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Lake Nantahala Vacation Rental |
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Features: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths,
sleeps 9-10 - decks
overlooking the lake, paddle boat, boat, kayaks,
private dock, gas
grill, ping pong, foosball, wood fireplace, WIFI. |
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| Location: Directly
on Lake Nantahala (Topton) |
see photos, details and availability |
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The Lighthouse - Lakefront Cottage
Rental |
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Features:
3 bedrooms +loft, 2 baths, sleeps up to 8. Boat
dock, deck with views, grill, kayak/canoe,
Internet. |
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| Location: 30
minutes to Boone NC |
get photos, details and availability |
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NC Mountain Fishing Guides and
Outfitters |
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Curtis
Wright Outfitters If
you are planning a fly fishing trip let professional guides
help you locate and land your next Trophy Trout or Smallmouth
Bass. From two retail shops and an online
store, CWO offers outdoor apparel, outfitting, fly
fishing education for all experience levels, destination
travel packages, plus a wide variety of team building workshops. |
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153 Charters
2013 East Fork Road, Sylva NC |
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Appalachian Outfitters
104 Tennessee Street, Murphy, NC |
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Asheville
Anglers 174 Central Ave, Weaverville NC |
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Asheville Drifters 48 Westall Ave in
Asheville NC |
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Brookside
Guides |
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Davidson River Outfitters 26 Pisgah Highway,
Pisgah Forest NC |
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East Tennessee Fly Fishing Watauga and South Holston rivers, Elizabethton,TN |
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Endless River Adventures 14157 US Highway 19/74 West,
Bryson City NC |
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Great
Smokey Mountain Fish Camp and Safaris 81
Bennett Rd, Franklin NC |
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Headwaters Outfitters at the intersection of Hwy 64 &
Hwy 215. Rosman, NC |
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High
Country Angler 1400 Kensington Place
Johnson City, TN |
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Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service 546 West
Main Street, Sylva NC |
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Hunter
Banks Flyfishing Guide Service 29 Montford Ave.
in Asheville, NC |
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Nantahala
Fly Fishing Company 4221 Tallulah rd
Robbinsville NC |
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Nantahala Guides Nantahala
Lake |
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Nantahala on the Fly 12121 HWY 19 West, Bryson City, NC |
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Reel Angling Adventures Guided Fishing for Trout, Bass
and Stripers near Blue Ridge-Blairsville-McCayesville-Reliance-Suches-Hiawassee-Clayton-Murphy-Andrews-Robbinsville |
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The Whitewater Sportsman Asheville French
Broad float fishing |
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Tom Hopkins Western North Carolina Fishing Guide Nantahala and
Western mountains areas |
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Tri-state
Angler Fly Fishing North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia |
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Trophy Water Guide Service Boone NC area |
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Tuckaseegee Fly Shop 3 Depot Street
Bryson City, NC |
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WNC Fly Fishing Trail: |
| The first and only fly fishing trail in the
United States, the
WNC Fly Fishing Trail, is located in Jackson County and features
some of the best trout waters in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Follow the Trail to find 15 excellent spots for catching each type
of trout. Complimentary maps are available from the Jackson County
Tourism Authority. |
1). SCOTT CREEK
The Stretch:
Roughly 10 miles from headwaters near Balsam down to Sylva.
Access Point(s): Parking and access available via several pull-off
areas along U.S. 23/74
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Brown, Rainbow
Numbers or Size: Numbers
Noteworthy: Stretch also includes North Fork Scott Creek and Buff
Creek, which are very scenic |
2). SMALL STREAMS:: Moses
Creek, Mull Creek, Rough Butt Creek, Chastine Creek, Piney Mountain
Creek. The Stretch: Collection of small streams in eastern Jackson
County, below Blue Ridge Parkway
Access Point(s): Via Moses
Creek Rd (SR 1740) & Caney Fork Rd (SR 1737), avoid posted land
Type of Water: Wild Trout
Available Fish: Brook, Rainbow
Numbers or Size: Numbers
Noteworthy: Mountainous terrain,
includes several large waterfalls |
3). CANEY FORK &
The Stretch: Roughly 10 miles from East Laporte Park to
headwaters at fork of Mull Creek and Piney Mountain Creek
Access
Point(s):/strong> Access via Caney Fork Road (SR 1737), avoid posted land
Type of Water: Undesignated
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brown,
occasional Brook
Numbers or Size: Numbers
Noteworthy:
Respect private land owners |
4). TANASEE CREEK & The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles from Tanasee Creek bridge up to
headwaters
Access Point(s): Parking and access available at
bridge on Tanasee Creek Road (SR 1762)
Type of Water:/strong> Wild Trout
Available Fish: Brown
Numbers or Size: Both
Noteworthy:
Very scenic stretch in the Nantahala National Forest |
5).
PANTHERTOWN CREEK The Stretch: Entire stream,
roughly 3 miles
Access Point(s): Parking and access at end of
Breedlove Rd (SR 1121), with 2-mile walk to creek Type of Water:
Catch & Release Single Hook Artificial Lure
Available Fish:
Brook
Numbers or Size: Numbers
Noteworthy: Located in Panthertown Valley, which is known as the “Yosemite of the East”
because of its bowl shape and rocky bluffs |
6). RAVEN FORK
(Cherokee Trophy Water) The Stretch: Starts at Blue
Ridge Parkway bridge near Cherokee and goes north for 2.2 miles
Access Point(s): Parking & access via several pull-off areas along
Big Cove Road; paths run along stream
Type of Water: Catch &
Release Fly Fishing Only
Available Fish: Golden, Rainbow, Brown,
Brook & Donaldson trout
Numbers or Size: Both
Noteworthy:
This stretch is also called Cherokee Trophy Water and fish of 20-30
inches are common; Cherokee annual permit and daily permit required |
7). WHITEWATER RIVER The Stretch: Roughly 2-3
miles from Hwy. 107 down to the South Carolina state line
Access
Point(s): Parking and access along N.C. 107, a few miles south of
Cashiers
Type of Water: Wild Trout
Available Fish: Brook,
Brown and Rainbow
Numbers or Size: Numbers
Noteworthy:
Flows into Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the
Mississippi |
8). SCOTSMAN and FOWLER CREEKS into CHATTOOGA
RIVER The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles of each stream
flowing down into the Chattooga River
Access Point(s): Access
available via Whiteside Cove Rd (SR 1107) or Bullpen Rd (SR 1100) in
Nantahala National Forest
Type of Water: Wild Trout with Natural
Bait
Available Fish: Brown, Rainbow
Numbers or Size:
Numbers (creeks), Size (Chattooga)
Noteworthy: The movie
Deliverance was filmed on the Chattooga River |
9). WEST
FORK TUCKASEGEE RIVER The
Stretch: From small
reservoir at Thorpe Power House upstream several
hundred yards
Access Point(s): Parking and access available
both sides of N.C. 107
near Thorpe Power House
Type of Water:
Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Brown, Rainbow
Numbers or
Size: Numbers
Noteworthy: Although hatchery supported, this
has nice concentration
of stream-raised fish |
10). TUCKASEGEE RIVER (East
Laporte Park to NC 107 Bridge) The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles
from park to bridge
Access Point(s): Parking and access
available at East Laporte Park and pull-off areas along Old
Cullowhee Road
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported
Available
Fish: Rainbow, Brook and Brown
Numbers or Size: Numbers
Noteworthy: East Laporte Park has picnic tables and public restrooms
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11). SAVANNAH CREEK
The Stretch: About 10 miles
from headwaters in Pumpkintown into Tuckasegee River
Access
Point(s): Parking and access available via several pull-offs along
U.S. 23/441
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported
Available Fish:
Rainbow, Brown
Numbers or Size: Numbers
Noteworthy: Access
limited the closer you get to the Tuckasegee River |
12).
TUCKASEGEE RIVER (NC 107 Bridge to Dillsboro park)
The Stretch: Roughly 4-5 mile stretch from bridge to the riverside
park in Dillsboro
Access Point(s): Parking and access available
via numerous pull-offs along North River Road
Type of Water:
Delayed Harvest
Available Fish: Brook, Brown and Rainbow
Numbers or Size: Both
Noteworthy: Best place to achieve the Tuckasegee Slam (catch all three species in one spot) |
13). GREENS CREEK The Stretch: About 3-4 miles from
Macon County line to Savannah Creek
Access Point(s):
Various
places along Greens Creek Road (SR 1370)
Types of Water: Wild
Trout, Undesignated, Hatchery Supported
Available Fish:
Rainbow,
some Brown
Numbers or Size: Numbers
Noteworthy: Portion of
the creek flows through the Nantahala National Forest |
14).
TUCKASEGEE RIVER (in Dillsboro) The Stretch: About 1
mile from Dillsboro park through town
Access Point(s):
Various
places between park and Best Western River Escape Inn
Type of
Water: Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brown
Numbers or Size: Size
Noteworthy: Includes two lodging options:
Best Western River Escape Inn and Dillsboro Inn |
15).
LOWER TUCKASEGEE RIVER (Barker’s Creek Bridge to Whittier)
The Stretch: Roughly 8-10 miles from bridge to Whittier
Access
Point(s): Parking and access via pull-offs and businesses along U.S.
19/74 freeway
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported, Undesignated
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brown
Numbers or Size: Size
Noteworthy: The stretch is also home to smallmouth bass |
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| Public
Fishing Areas (PFAs)
have been created throughout the state to provide free fishing
opportunities from the banks of North Carolina’s lakes,
rivers, streams and reservoirs. The Wildlife Resources Commission
has enhanced fishing opportunities at PFAs by clearing banks
of underbrush, and in some cases, by constructing universally
accessible fishing piers, creating graveled or paved parking lots,
installing fish attractors, or baiting the areas with grain or fish
feed. |
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Hatchery-supported
waters are marked with green and white signs.
Asheville-area
fishing spots include:
Ivy Creek/Ivy River
(Dillingham Creek to U.S. 19-23
bridge)
Dillingham Creek
(Corner Rock Creek to Ivy Creek)
Stony Creek
Mineral Creek
Corner Rock Creek
Reems Creek
(Sugar Camp Fork to U.S. 19-23
bridge, except where posted against trespassing)
Swannanoa River
(S.R. 2702 bridge near Ridgecrest
to Wood Avenue bridge, except where posted against trespassing)
Bent Creek
(headwaters to NC Arboretum
boundary line)
Cane Creek
(headwaters to S.R. 3138 bridge)
Lake Powhatan |
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Hatchery Supported Trout Waters:
Hatchery-supported
waters are marked with green and white signs. |
Asheville-area
fishing spots:
Ivy Creek/Ivy River
(Dillingham Creek to U.S. 19-23
bridge)
Dillingham Creek
(Corner Rock Creek to Ivy Creek)
Stony Creek
Mineral Creek
Corner Rock Creek
Reems Creek
(Sugar Camp Fork to U.S. 19-23
bridge, except where posted against trespassing)
Swannanoa River
(S.R. 2702 bridge near Ridgecrest
to Wood Avenue bridge, except where posted against trespassing)
Bent Creek
(headwaters to NC Arboretum
boundary line)
Cane Creek
(headwaters to S.R. 3138 bridge)
Lake Powhatan
Alleghany County:
Little River (Whitehead to
McCann dam): Bledsoe Creek, Big
Glade Creek, Big Pine Creek, Brush Creek, Crab Creek, Cranberry
Creek, Laurel Branch, Meadow Fork, Pine Swamp Creek, Piney Fork,
Prather Creek
Ashe County:
North Fork New River (Watauga County line to Sharpe dam)
Big Horse Creek (Mud Creek at SR 1363 bridge to Tuckerdale), Big
Laurel Creek, Buffalo Creek (Headwaters to junction of NC 194-88 and
SR 1131), Cranberry Creek (Alleghany County line to South Fork New
River), Hoskins Fork (Watauga County line to North Fork New River),
Old Fields Creek, Mill Creek, North Beaver Creek,
Peak Creek (headwaters to Trout Lake except Blue Ridge Parkway
waters), Pine Swamp Creek (all forks), Roan Creek, Three Top Creek
(except game land portion)
Avery County:
North Toe River (headwaters to Mitchell County line) Archie Coffey Lake, Boyde Coffey Lake, Elk River (SR 1306 crossing
to the Tennessee state line), Linville River (Land Harbor line
(below dam) to Blue Ridge Parkway boundary line, except where posted
against trespass), Milltimber Creek, Squirrel Creek
Buncombe County:
Big Ivy Creek (Ivy
River)(Dillingham Creek to US 19-23 bridge), Dillingham Creek
(Corner Rock Creek to Big Ivy Creek), Stony Creek, Mineral Creek,
Corner Rock Creek, Reems Creek (Sugar Camp Fork to US 19-23 bridge),
Swannanoa River (SR 2702 bridge near Ridgecrest to Sayles Bleachery
in Asheville), Bent Creek (headwaters to NC, Arboretum boundary
line), Cane Creek (headwaters to SR 3138 bridge), Lake Powhatan
Burke County:
Henry Fork (lower South
Mountains State Park line downstream to SR 1919 at Ivy Creek),
Carroll Creek (game lands above SR 1405), Linville River (game lands
portion below the Blue Ridge Parkway and from first bridge on SR
1223 below Lake James powerhouse to Muddy Creek) |
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Where
to find WILD* Trout Waters: |
- Three Top Mountain
Game Land in Ashe County
- Nantahala National
Forest Game Land in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon,
Swain and Transylvania counties
- Pisgah National
Forest Game Lands in Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Haywood,
Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania and Yancey
counties
- Dupont State forest
Game Lands in Henderson and Transylvania counties
- Thurmond Chatham
Game Land in Wilkes County
- Toxaway Game Land in
Transylvania County
*unless otherwise posted |
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NC
Mountain Fishing Guide
