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The fishing’s fine in North Carolina, and the only thing missing from a great day on the water is you. Along the coast, you can surf cast or fish from wooden piers, fish the inshore waters of sounds and marshes, or go offshore for a day to remember. Head inland to find fish biting in our rivers and lakes. And when you make it to the mountains, be sure to bring your fly rod because those streams are loaded with trout.
Coastal Casting
Cast from the shore, pay a visit to historic and modern piers, reel in a big one on inshore waters, or head offshore for a day of deep-sea fishing.
1 Outer Banks
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1 Outer Banks
See on map
Reel in your dinner when you’re surf casting along the shore of the Outer Banks, but for some real fun, try visiting one of the historic wooden piers or a modern pier that stretches far beyond the breakers. Stop by Nags Head Fishing Pier, the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills or Outer Banks Pier in south Nags Head to fish from a classic, crooked wooden pier. Or pay a visit to Jennette’s Pier, a long, concrete pier that’s an angler’s delight.
2 Hatteras Island
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2 Hatteras Island
See on mapOn Hatteras Island you’ll find a variety of piers with great fishing: Bonner Bridge Pier uses the remnants of the old bridge to provide fishing access in Oregon Inlet, or head to the classic wooden piers in Rodanthe and Avon. For charter, the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center has you covered with dozens of captains at the ready. But many go the off-road vehicle route and drive on the shore to surf fish by the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, the point and inlet at Hatteras Village, or in their own secret spot.
3 Ocracoke Island
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3 Ocracoke Island
See on mapOcracoke Island sits at the southern end of the Outer Banks, and this isolated island has been home to anglers for ages. With 14 miles of beach – most of it open to off-road vehicle exploration – and plenty of inshore and offshore charter options, this place is a fishing haven any time of year.
4 Cape Fear Coast
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4 Cape Fear Coast
See on mapFrom Topsail to NC's Brunswick Islands, there’s great inshore and offshore fishing to be had. You can surf cast from nearly any spot on the beaches or on Masonboro Island, where you’ll find uninhabited beaches and miles of marsh creeks. The Surf City Pier at Topsail Island, Wrightsville Beach’s Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier and the Carolina Beach Pier offer a different fishing experience. And loads of charters, such as Dreadknot Sportfishing, can get you on the inshore or offshore waters for a memorable day.
Freshwater Fun
Freshwater fishing will have you exploring the waters of our central and mountainous rivers and lakes.
5 Roanoke River
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5 Roanoke River
See on mapRoanoke Rapids, northeast of Raleigh, sits on the banks of the Roanoke River – and it’s a hotbed for rockfish, better known as striped bass. You can catch and release these fierce fighters from April through the end of June by fishing from the banks, a kayak or a boat. Several local fishing guides know the river and the sweet spots for hooking a striped bass.
6 Lake Norman
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6 Lake Norman
See on mapNorth of Charlotte, Lake Norman – the state’s largest manmade lake – is huge. Nearly 15 square miles with 520 miles of shoreline means you can fish to your heart’s content from the shoreline, from piers at Ramsey Creek Park and Lake Norman State Park, and from your boat. Bring your own, rent a sweet fishing vessel or hire a guide and start reeling in largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass; catfish; and fun catches such as bluegill, crappie and perch.
7 Lake James State Park
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7 Lake James State Park
See on mapA few miles west of Morganton, Lake James State Park has gorgeous views, a swimming beach, great hiking and mountain biking trails, and tons of fishing. With several convenient boat ramps and easy access to the shoreline, you can fish from land or the lake and reel in bass, walleye and crappie. You might hook something else too: catfish, stripers, muskie and even pike bite here.
8 Fontana Lake
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8 Fontana Lake
See on mapFontana Lake sits in the far western part of NC, bumping up against Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lake offers lovely scenery in three seasons and simply spectacular views in fall. But fishing and lake recreation is one of its largest draws. After you’ve gone water skiing, put away the tow rope and pick up your rod and reel because you’ll find smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye and muskie, plus catfish, bluegill, trout and steelhead, and more nearly every time you cast.
Fly-Fishing Extravaganzas
Mountain streams and rivers make great habitats for rainbow, brook and brown trout, and you can reel in record fish with your fly rod. Not familiar with fly-fishing? No problem. Most fly guides and outfitters offer lessons and refresher courses in addition to guided fishing trips.
9 Watauga River and New River
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9 Watauga River and New River
See on mapThe mountain waters of the Watauga and New rivers near Blowing Rock and Boone are havens for fly anglers out to hook a rainbow or brown trout or even a striper. Boone’s Rhode’s Motor Lodge offers a hip place to stay, a great restaurant and can help you arrange a fly-fishing trip. Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock is an Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing lodge, and their instruction and guided trips are among the best in NC.
10 WNC Fly-Fishing Trail
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10 WNC Fly-Fishing Trail
See on mapHundreds of miles of streams and rivers that seem tailor-made for fly-fishing crisscross Jackson County. You’ll be surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, and you might just reel in a record brook, brown or rainbow trout. (Will it be a state record? Personal best? Bragging rights for the trip?) If you’re not sure where to go, just check out the maps of the trail.
11 Davidson River
11 Davidson River
See on mapTrout Unlimited loves the Davidson River – it appears on several Top 100 Trout Streams lists – because this freestone river offers a variety of fly-fishing experiences from deep, glassy pools to rills and rocky patches. In smaller tributary streams, you’ll find the little fighters – around 7 inches – but you can find trophy-class 20-inch fish in larger pockets of the river. You can access the river and tributary branches off national forest roads near Brevard.
NC Fishing Tips and Tricks
There are a few things you need for a successful day of fishing wherever you wet a line in North Carolina.
Fishing Licenses
You’ll need a separate license for freshwater fishing and for fishing coastal waters. Find a full slate of rules, seasonal and stream-specific regulations and requirements for your license here. Most visitors purchase an Inland Fishing 10-day license (good for traditional and fly-fishing) or a Coastal Recreational Fishing 10-day license (covering you on coastal waters). Annual licenses (good for one year) are also available. If you’re fishing with a charter captain or a guide, chances are they have a license that’ll cover you for the day, but check with your guide before you cast that line.
Tackle
Since surf casting, deep-sea fishing and reeling in a rockfish have different needs, you’ll need to rely on experience or local knowledge. Guides and charter captains will set you up right, and so will the angling experts in local tackle shops, outdoor stores and bait stands. Many outdoor and tackle shops – and even the small shops found at many piers – have full tackle kits that’ll have you fishing in no time.
More Insider Tips
- Fly-fishing is best in spring and fall since summer’s heat sends trout packing for deep, cool water. If you’re fishing in summer, switch to smallmouth bass.
- Plan your fishing trip well in advance. If you’re hoping to book a cabin at Cape Lookout National Seashore for a fall fishing bonanza, reserve your cabin months in advance. Along the Outer Banks, Crystal Coast and near Wilmington, deep-sea charters can book solid before summer starts, so reserve that trip sooner rather than later. The same goes for fly-fishing: Book your guide or lesson when you book your vacation stay.
- Familiarize yourself with the rhythm of the tides and the flow of tidal rivers to increase your chances of catching a whopper. Likewise, familiarize yourself with water releases from dams and reservoirs and the annual stocking of select trout streams.
- Don’t overlook night fishing, especially on the shore. Surf casting and pier fishing at night offers variety in terms of species you’ll catch and the techniques and tackle you need to land them.
- When you’re surf fishing and they aren’t biting, try moving. Food – baitfish and crustaceans – will follow the tidal flow, and so will the fish you’re out to catch. So move up or down the beach as needed to boost your odds of a colossal catch.
Visit Outdoor NC for tips on how to connect with nature and help preserve the natural beauty of our state. You can also find additional information on how to help keep waters pristine, wildlife safe and the future of fishing strong.
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