Fishing Phelps Lake

AKA: Lake Phelps

Popular Fish Species
Phelps Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Phelps Lake, NC

Popular Fish Species Phelps Lake, NC

Phelps Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Phelps Lake continues to deliver great catches of largemouth bass, as it has for several years now. Recent results by locals, and bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been very rewarding lately. Also, there is the potential for catching a monster. Excellent fisheries management by the NC Wildlife has maintained this thriving bass fishery. Big mouth bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. 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 options. In winter, spend your time fishing Phelps Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Fishing for largemouth bass can range from fair to very good here, year round.

Phelps Lake Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

Phelps Lake holds a plentiful population of black crappie, and they are running in good sizes this year. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Because crappie 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.

Phelps Lake Popular Fish - Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Fishing

Fishing for pumpkinseed sunfish is very popular here at Phelps Lake. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat pumpkinseed sunfish. This year, much like recent years, the pumpkinseed population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Pumpkinseed sunfish fishing is about as basic as fishing gets. Any lighter fishing pole, reasonably light line, small hooks baited with anything edible, creates a great setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Pumpkinseed prefer clear water and hang around brush, rocks, vegetation, docks or any cover available.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish at Lake Phelps in North Carolina.

Phelps Lake Fishing Video

This big, shallow lake near the North Carolina coastline can be a haven for bass, crappie and sunfish enthusiasts. Phelps Lake is a 16,600-acre lake, two miles south of Creswell, NC. The lake is a big bowl with little shoreline contour. Virtually all the banks have submerged trees and vegetation, and there are boats docks scattered around the lake. There are boat launch ramps for public use - one paved ramp for bigger boats, and many places around the lake to launch canoes or kayaks. Boaters should be cautious due to the shallowness of the majority of the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Phelps

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Phelps Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast