Fishing Belews Lake

AKA: Belews Reservoir

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Belews Lake Fishing Video
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Belews Lake, NC

Popular Fish Species Belews Lake, NC

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Currently, largemouth bass are thriving in Belews Lake due to excellent fisheries management and plenty of cover for both baitfish and bass. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure. Other bass to be caught here include smallmouth bass and spotted bass.

Spotted Bass Fishing

Spotted bass are often found in some of the same areas one would find largemouth bass. Here at Belews Lake, they are a favorite of many local anglers, as they are plentiful and put up a very strong battle. Fishing for spotted bass can be good anytime you can locate them. Their diet consists mainly of crayfish and insects, but they also eat baitfish, small sunfish and bluegill. Most of the time, spots prefer to stage on steep rocky or gravel banks, and may move up and down the water column throughout the day. When shallow, use topwater or shallow crankbaits around rip rap. When they are deep, use worms and jigs. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Smallmouth bass are also caught here in decent numbers.

Black Crappie Fishing

Black crappie take a back seat to bass in Belews Lake, but don't miss out on catching some very good size crappie this year. Crappie fishing is great and they run in schools. They always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home.

Belews Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, white catfish, black crappie, bluegill, bream and white bass at Belews Lake in North Carolina.

As a result the growing season is extended for both predators and prey. This 3,860-acre lake, located in the northwest part of the state, has been both a boom and a bust during its storied history. Due to the warm water runoff from the power plant, Belews Lake maintains a warmer water temperature during winter than most other area lakes. Bass and crappie are the primary species of choice, but the lake also has nice populations of white bass, catfish and sunfish. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake. Don't be afraid to fish deep here (down to 50 feet or more) as the clear water often drives the bulk of the fish away from the shallows. At the same time, there may also be fish extremely shallow even in clear water.

Primary fish species residing in Belews Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Belews Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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