Fishing Report For Apalachia Lake, NC

Current Report: Good To Very Good

Historically, Apalachia Lake in North Carolina has been a factory for big smallmouth. Once spotted bass were introduced to the fishery, the smallies have reduced in numbers. That said, there are still many reports of quality smallmouth being caught here.

WINTER. Winter has isolated smallies around deeper structure, points, flats and creek channels, often suspending in open water above these features. They are being found from 15 to 30 feet deep. Locals report catching nice fish around mid-lake humps or deeper creek channel shelves. Jigging spoons, tube baits, drop-shot worms, jigs and Ned rigs are tempting smallmouth to bite in deep water. I like to work these deeper haunts very slowly, as the bass are somewhat sluggish. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Smallmouth fishing can be very good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days.

SPRING. After ice out, when water temperatures rise into the 50's, smallmouth move from deep wintering spots to shallower water, just outside spawning areas. They feed heavily in 3 to 10 feet of water at this time, and are typically caught on jerkbaits, crankbaits, tube baits, Ned rigs, and crayfish imitating plastics. Once water warms into the high 50's, they move into shallower water, 2 to 6 feet deep and create nests in gravel or sand areas, then lay their eggs. Some of the better spawning areas include protected, shallow flats and points in the North and South Shoal Creek arms. Females then move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move into 15 to 20 feet deep, and feed aggressively. Crankbaits, tube baits, Ned rigs, plastic worms, spoons and swimbaits are catching smallies during this period.

SUMMER. Smallmouth bass typically feed shallow early and late in the day, in 6 to 12 feet of water. They are being caught on topwater, crankbaits, swimbaits, Ned rigs and tube baits. Smallmouth bass here feed on crawfish, gizzard shad, threadfin shad, and small sunfish. They prefer rocky or gravel bottom areas, as this is where crayfish live. Popular Summer holding areas include rip rap at the dam, as well as rocky points, humps and structure near the thermocline. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, humps, and ledges around 15 to 25 feet deep. Often these deeper fish tend to school, so finding them can deliver some fast action. Anglers fishing mid-lake humps, rock piles and ledges, report good catches during these warmer months.

FALL. Once Fall arrives smallmouth move into coves and bays 19 to 20 feet deep. Popular areas include creek channel edges, points and protected flats. They thrive in the cooler, shallow water, which is an ideal environment for them. Locals report that tube jigs, and drop shot rigs with small worms or shad shaped plastics, are popular in 10' water or deeper. Worms, jigs, deep-diving crankbaits, swimbaits, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits, are also successful, when bass are shallow to mid depth. Later in Fall, smallies move to slightly deeper water, around 10 to 35 feet deep.

Current Report: Poor To Good

Brown trout over 5 pounds have been reported from Apalachia Lake. And, while fly fishing is the best way to catch trout, weekend anglers are catching brown trout on spinners, small jerkbaits, nightcrawlers and a variety of other small offerings. Brown trout are very aggressive, and put up a good battle. The cool, clear water of Apalachia Lake is ideal for trout, and provides opportunities for unique fishing in this popular crappie and bass fishing area. Brown trout can be very aggressive, and put up a good battle. These browns are more aggressive than rainbows, and will attack larger lures - especially jerkbaits.

WINTER. Winter has set in, and anglers have been catching a few browns. Jigging spoons and jigs tipped with bait are catching most limits of brown trout, in 20 to 45 feet of water. Trolling, drift fishing and jigging spoons all work well. Popular areas include the powerhouse area, around the Hiwassee dam base, and channel edges around long points. Slower presentations improve catch rates as these trout have a low metabolism in the colder months.

SPRING. As water begins to warm in early Spring, brown trout move from their deep winter holding areas to shallower, warmer water. They are found early in the season around 10 to 25 feet deep. Annually, weekend anglers are catching brown trout on spinners, small jerkbaits, nightcrawlers and a variety of other prepared offerings. They congregate around shallow flats - 10 to 20 feet deep. Some of the most productive fishing happens from mid morning to late afternoon, on mid-depth humps. Later in Spring, browns prefer water 25 to 45 feet deep.

SUMMER. Once Summer is here to stay, the warmer water drives brown trout deeper, 15 to 40 feet deep, and deeper. Early in the morning and at dusk, they are being caught shallower in these low-light conditions, usually in 15 to 25 feet of water. Trolling around river channel ledges and structure, using downriggers or leaded line, or drift fishing with bait, are currently the most productive methods. Anglers fishing from the bank are using fairly heavy weights, on a Carolina rig to get baits into deeper water.

FALL. Cooling water temperatures again draw browns shallower. Successful anglers are catching them early in the season 15 to 30 feet deep on points, rocky structure, humps, and mouths of bays where baitfish are gathering. Early in the morning and at dusk, they are being caught shallower. Brown trout spawn in the Fall, usually starting in October. Decent catches are report on jerkbaits, miniature crankbaits, small spinnerbaits and swimbaits, in the tail waters below the Hiwassee Dam. Once they have had a full summer to grow, it's a good time to catch a trophy. When they move out to structure in deep water, spoons, jigs and bait are catching browns.

Current Report: Good

Small bluegill are a primary food source for predator fish in the lake. Bigger bluegill are fun to catch and eat. Local anglers report good size bluegill being caught with some regularity, and enough medium-size ones to make for a good fish fry.

WINTER. Cooling shallows have driven the bluegill back to deeper cover, in water ranging from 10 to 25 feet deep. In areas with no cover, anglers typically find them around sharp drops, into even deeper water. They are considerably less active due to the cold water. Small baits, on light tackle, worked slowly, tend to get the best results. Small pieces of worms, crickets, and small crappie jigs all are catching bluegill, ideally using a bobber.

SPRING. In early Spring, bluegill migrate from winter holding areas toward the shoreline areas, and are typically caught around 6 to 12 feet deep. As the water warms to the mid 70's they will begin the spawning ritual, building nests in 2 to 6 feet of water. Many of the bigger bluegill prefer to spawn a bit deeper, depending on water clarity. After the spawn, bluegill drop to 5 or 10 feet deep around brush, vegetation or flats. Small spinners and swimbaits, or jigs tipped with small pieces of nightcrawlers are good choices for catching a lot of bluegill in Spring.

SUMMER. Following the spawn, most of the bigger bluegill migrate to deeper water, around 6 to 15 feet deep. They get very active, and prefer rocky or weedy areas, often hanging out on steep, rocky banks where they can move up and down to feed without having to travel a great distance. Small spoons, underspins, and mini-crankbaits are catching some of the bigger bluegill. Earthworms also catch good numbers. Early and late in the day, anglers catch them in 4 to 6 feet of water.

FALL. Cooling, Fall weather drops the water temperature in the shallows and bluegill move shallow to feed, around the edges of weedlines in 6 to 15 feet of water. Steeper banks, and shallow weedy areas with drop-offs, are hold bluegill this time of year. Later in Fall, as the shallows get colder, bluegill will move out to 15 to 20 feet of water, in many of the same areas.