Guide To The Best Fishing Lakes In North Carolina

Top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in NC.

Badin Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, High Rock Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Jordan Lake, Lake Gaston, Lake Hickory, Lake James, Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, Phelps Lake and Santeetlah Lake are some of the most popular places for fishing in North Carolina, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. The Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes. Locate the ideal boat launch ramps on popular fishing lakes in the state.

Bass Lakes

Apalachia Lake, Badin Lake, Cheoah Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, Harris Lake, High Rock Lake, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake, Kernersville Lake, Lake Gaston, Lake Glenville, Lake Hickory, Lake Higgins, Lake James, Lake Nantahala, Lake Norman, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Waccamaw, Lake Wylie, Phelps Lake and Randleman Lake are considered some of the the best options for largemouth, smallmouth, redeye and spotted bass. More...

Catfish Lakes

Buckhorn Reservoir, Chatuge Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, Graham-Mebane Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake, King Mountain Reservoir, Lake Cammack, Lake Gaston, Lake Glenville, Lake Hickory, Lake James, Lake Mackintosh, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Norman, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Tillery, Lake Waccamaw, Lake Wylie, Moss Lake, Phelps Lake, Roanoke Rapids Lake and Tar River Reservoir are among the favorite channel, blue, white and flathead catfish fishing destinations. More...

Crappie Lakes

Buckhorn Reservoir, Chatuge Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, Graham-Mebane Lake, Harris Lake, High Rock Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Hyco Lake, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake, King Mountain Reservoir, Lake Benson, Lake Cammack, Lake Gaston, Lake Glenville, Lake Hickory, Lake James, Lake Mackintosh, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Norman, Lake Townsend, Lake Waccamaw, Lake Wylie, Mayo Reservoir, Mountain Island Lake, Randleman Lake, Salem Lake, Santeetlah Lake, Shearon Harris Reservoir and W Kerr Scott Reservoir are the most popular for black and white crappie. More...

Sunfish & Panfish Lakes

Apalachia Lake, Blewett Falls Lake, Chatuge Lake, Cheoah Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, Harris Lake, High Rock Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Hyco Lake, Jordan Lake, King Mountain Reservoir, Lake Gaston, Lake Glenville, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Nantahala, Lake Norman, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Sutton, Lake Wylie, Mayo Reservoir, Mountain Island Lake, Moss Lake and Salem Lake are some of the more popular spots to fish for bluegill, bream, perch and other sunfish. More...

Walleye Lakes

Blewett Falls Lake, Chatuge Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Lake Gaston, Lake Glenville, Lake James, Lake Nantahala, Santeetlah Lake and W Kerr Scott Reservoir are considered the top locations for walleye fishing. More...

Trout Lakes

Apalachia Lake, Buckhorn Reservoir, Cheoah Lake, Fontana Lake, Lake Glenville, Lake Nantahala and Santeetlah Lake are favored options for rainbow, brook or brown trout. More...

Striped Bass & Hybrid Stripers

Apalachia Lake, Badin Lake, Blewett Falls Lake, Chatuge Lake, Falls Lake, Graham-Mebane Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Jordan Lake, Lake Cammack, Lake Hickory, Lake James, Lake Mackintosh, Lake Nantahala, Lake Norman, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Townsend, Lake Tillery and Salem Lake are some of the best options for striped bass and hybrid striped bass. More...

Salmon Lakes

Lake Nantahala is the only salmon lake in NC which is stocked with kokanee salmon. More...

Visit the North Carolina fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the North Carolina map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating and boat rentals in NC, at many of the most popular destinations in the state.

Best Destinations By State.