Fishing Tar River Reservoir

AKA: Tar River

Popular Fish Species
Tar River Reservoir Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Tar River Reservoir, NC

Popular Fish Species Tar River Reservoir, NC

Tar River Reservoir Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Tar River Reservoir offers decent fishing for largemouth bass. Some big bass roam Tar River Reservoir, thanks to excellent fisheries management by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, as well as the availability of extensive cover for both baitfish and bass. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. 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 fishing Tar River Reservoir on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Tar River Reservoir Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

Again this year a healthy population of channel catfish populate the waters of Tar River Reservoir. In Spring channel cats migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. Night fishing for channel catfish often delivers better results than fishing during the day. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure in the area. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits. Flathead catfish and blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well.

Tar River Reservoir Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

Black crappie reside in good numbers throughout Tar River Reservoir, and they are averaging a very good size this year. Crappie fishing is excellent and they are running in sizeable schools. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. 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. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie and bluegill at Tar River Reservoir in North Carolina.

Tar River Reservoir Fishing Video

Tar River Reservoir, located in northeastern North Carolina, is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. This scenic 1,600-acre reservoir offers a variety of fishing opportunities and a tranquil setting for anglers to enjoy.

Crappie are a hidden treasure at Tar River Reservoir, a 1,800-acre lake in the northeast part of the state. Boating and fishing enthusiasts will find hundreds of miles of shoreline, and all types of cover to fish. In addition to crappie the lake offers fishing for bass, catfish and sunfish. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake.

Primary fish species residing in Tar River Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Tar River Reservoir Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bend of the River Road Boat Ramp
This is a small (but efficient), unimproved boat launch with gravel parking. It is located just south of the Bend of the River Road Bridge, on the west side of the bridge.

Tar River Reservoir Ramp
Located at the south end of the South Old Carriage Road Bridge, in the western arm of the lake, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.