Fishing Roanoke Rapids Lake

AKA: Roanoke Rapids Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Roanoke Rapids Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC

Popular Fish Species Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC

Roanoke Rapids Lake Popular Fish - Striped Bass

Striped Bass Fishing

Due to their large size, striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Roanoke Rapids Lake. They are plentiful, run in schools and can grow to bragging size. When these stripers school in the upper portion of the lake they can be taken on topwater lures. In Spring and Fall work the upper end of the lake where water is flowing into the lake. Look for deeper water in the river channel, as a holding place for stripers. In Summer and Winter, stripers hang out in deeper water during the day Morning often draws the stripers to much shallower water, look for them from the surface down to around the 20-foot range as they feed on shallow-running schools of bait. The lake is filled with plenty of baitfish and sunfish to to keep the fishery thriving. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Live bait is very effective here, and stripers can be caught year round.

Roanoke Rapids Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Roanoke Rapids Lake continues to deliver great catches of largemouth bass, as it has for several years now. Careful fisheries management by the State of North Carolina Wildlife has maintained a thriving bass fishery, providing both quantity and quality for anglers. 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. 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 Roanoke Rapids 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.

Roanoke Rapids Lake Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

Load the livewell with a bunch of fat, healthy slabs at Roanoke Rapids Lake this year. The lake has good populations of both black crappie and white crappie. These two species generally school by with their own, but once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, white perch and striped bass at Roanoke Rapids Lake in North Carolina.

Roanoke Rapids Lake Fishing Video

A quiet and relaxing getaway, this is a great lake for kayaking, sailing, canoeing...and of course fishing. Roanoke Rapids Lake, at 4,600 surface acres has room for all types of water-related activities. The lake is situated downstream of Gaston Lake, in the northeast part of the state, at Roanoke Rapids, NC. Known for exceptional striped bass fishing in the fall, and generally good fishing all season long for a variety of species, it is a good choice for those who like to avoid crowds. There are day-use areas at the lake and campgrounds with RV spaces nearby. Come fish Roanoke Rapids Lake for big stripers and catfish, as well as load up the ice chest on crappie and perch. Multiple marinas offer services and supplies for boating, as well as boat rentals.

Primary fish species residing in Roanoke Rapids Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Roanoke Rapids Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

5th Street Boat Landing
Located at the north end of West 5th Street, in the southeast corner of the lake, this two-lane, concrete boat ramp has docks and plentiful, paved parking.

Thelma Boating Access
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, on Van Warren Road, this one-lane, concrete ramp has a dock and gravel parking.