North Carolina has become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts looking for activities such as kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and trout fishing. Western North Carolina (WNC) is home to over 3,000 miles of rivers, lakes, and streams that are open to the public for trout fishing. Every year, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission closes 1,000 miles of the streams and restocks them with trout, making WNC a popular trout fishing hub.
If you've been planning your next trip to cast a line, we've got you covered! Grab your tackle box, rods, and cooler, and head to one of these fishing spots in Western North Carolina.
Fishing Trips in NC - The Best Fishing Spots
The Davidson River
With easy access and a healthy trout population, the Davidson River is one of North Carolina's most popular fishing spots. The river contains many trophy-sized fish due to their strict catch-and-release policy. While the river is open year-round, you're likely to have the most bites in the fall and spring.
- The Upper River - About 14 miles of the river, from its headwaters to Avery Creek, are managed under catch-and-release, fly-fishing-only regulations.
- The Middle River - Below the gorge, the Davidson flattens as it passes over a spillway dam that serves as an intake for the state’s Pisgah Fish Hatchery. Many fishermen leave this area disappointed because the trout have become pickier about what they eat. The most successful anglers keep a low profile, make few false casts, use long tippets, and shun large, bright strike indicators. Make sure to change out your flies often. Below the hatchery, the Davidson enters an area known as Horse Cove, offering 10-inch rainbows.
- The Lower River - About half a mile below Horse Cove, the Davidson meets Looking Glass Creek, which offers miles of pocket water and plunge pools within easy reach of U.S. Highway 276. These areas hold trout, but newbies often miss the best trout fishing spots by wading right through them on their way to the obvious hot spots. The pros know better. Wading spooks the big boys, and trout can often be found in water that's barely deep enough to cover their backs.
Tuckasegee River
The Tuckasegee River is the largest trout river in the state, flowing for 60 miles through WNC before joining Fontana Lake. With such a reputation, it’s easy to see why it is considered one of the most popular fishing spots in the area. Indeed, the “Tuck” offers not only a wide variety of fish species but also convenient access points.
The upper delayed harvest section, stretching from Webster to Dillsboro's old dam site, is one of the most visited fishing locations, mainly due to its easy access and parking pull-offs. Then, along the Tuck’s two forks, anglers can pursue wild brown and rainbow trout in the smaller creeks.
As the forks converge into the main channel, the river widens, providing deeper pockets and shallow eddies where some of the larger trout reside. Other popular fishing spots along the river include the towns of Sylva and Dillsboro, renowned for their high trout density. Overall, the trout are generally cooperative in all river areas, so you will most likely achieve fishing success wherever you cast your line and regardless of your fishing skills. This could be a great place to take kids fishing!
Explore >> 4 Summer Activities Your Kid Will Love in Hendersonville, NC
Please note: Between October and June, the Tuck operates as a catch-and-release fishery, with specific rules allowing only artificial lures and single-hook setups. This regulated stretch spans approximately 5.5 miles beyond the quaint towns of Dillsboro, Sylva, and Cullowhee.
North Mills River
The North Mills River offers a four-mile section of delayed waters that receives an annual stock of 11,000 stocked brook and brown trout from NC Wildlife. From June through the end of September, the waters are open to all anglers with no bait restrictions and a creel limit of seven trout per day.
The great thing about fishing at North Mills River is the location. Just outside of Asheville, North Mills River Campground is open year-round with 31 standard sites and one with full hook-up. There are tent pads, fire pits, hot showers, and bathrooms. The area is surrounded by hiking and biking trails, providing fun for the entire family. However, keep in mind that fishing is heaviest around the campground area. Anglers who also enjoy hiking can find solitude and more fish by taking a short hike from the Trace Ridge Trailhead.
The South Toe River
This wild trout water has a lot to offer the avid fly fisherman. The river is not heavily fished simply because the nearby stocked waters are easier to access. If you prefer the solitude of being out in the waters with trout, this is the spot for you.
The South Toe River is near the Blue Ridge Parkway, off the slopes of Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain this side of the Mississippi. To access some of the best fishing spots in its upper section, park upstream, hike downstream, and fish back upstream to your vehicle in parts of its upper section. While this river isn't as easy to access, the rainbow trout, native brook, and wild brown trout make the trek worthwhile.
The Pigeon River
For angles seeking scenic beauty and diverse fishing species, check out the Pigeon River. This river originates in WNC and flows northwest into Tennessee, eventually joining the French Broad River. The upstream stretches within Pisgah National Forest boast pristine headwaters with large boulder gardens, dramatic elevation changes, scenic waterfalls, and plunge pools, creating idyllic fishing spots abundant with wild and stocked trout.
If you are looking for bass fishing spots, keep your fishing journey up to Waterville Dam, where the Pigeon River transforms into a tailwater fishery, renowned as a trophy smallmouth bass river with fish averaging between 1 and 4 pounds.
In summer, Duke Power regulates recreational flow schedules, increasing oxygen levels and decreasing water temperatures, creating ideal conditions for abundant aquatic life. However, the Pigeon River stands out as an exceptional fishery throughout the year.
Move Closer to the Best Fishing Spots
These are just some of the popular fishing spots Western North Carolina has to offer. If you are looking to make the WNC Area your new home or would like more information on building your dream home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, contact Vista Developers today!
