Fishing Report For Buckhorn Lake, NC

Current Report: Poor To Good

Buckhorn Lake is a decent bass fishery. Bass tend to follow the baitfish here, so using electronics to locate schools can be a big help. Crankbaits, like the Rapala DT-series, are a good way to cover lots of water especially when bass are shallow. Once they move deep in summer and winter, light line, small baits and slow movement can trigger strikes. Local anglers report that drop shot rigs catch a lot of bass here.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

Channel cats are one of the easiest species to catch here at Buckhorn Lake. Fishing from the Mill Branch area to the Buckhorn Lake Dam, and the deeper sections of the Little Creek Arm, have produced pretty consistent action of late, as reported by locals. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker, or Carolina rig setup. C.J.'s Punch Bait is available at Bass Pro Shops.

Current Report: Good

As soon as Spring arrives, schools of crappie move into the warmer shallows of Buckhorn Lake. Concentrate on 5' to 8' of water nearby drop offs into deeper water. Crappie fishing here is quite good when you locate a school of them, and it can be slim pickings if you don't. Numerous locals reported catching nice crappie in 2024, including some well over 2 pounds. Crappie always seek out cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around deeper cover. Minnows are always a good choice here, as are crappie jigs like the Bass Pro Shops Uncle Buck's jig.