Popular North Carolina Fishing Spots

Fishing is a very popular sport among the citizens of North Carolina. Many weekends you'll find boats of every shape, size and color descending on the Upstate highways in search of that perfect fishing spot. North Carolina fishermen know the secret to finding that perfect, crystal clear lake over flowing with giant carp and trout, is just a short drive into the area mountains. My kids and I love taking long weekend fishing trips to the lakes located In the North Carolina region. These all night fishing trips are a tradition that have been passed down through the generations. The beautiful mountainous areas in North Carolina are known for their many fishing lakes that are kept abundantly stocked with catfish, bass and carp.

My families favorite fishing lake just happens to be located near one of the locations we use most often for camping. Lake Norman is a beautiful spot near the Catawba river in the North Carolina mountain region. This lake covers 32,000 acres, by far the largest lake in North Carolina. It Is kept abundantly stocked with many different kinds of fish. Although large mouth bass are the ones sought most often by fisherman who visit this lake. A dam and spillway maintain the lake at a constant level year round so it's a great place to fish anytime of the year. Lake Norman requires that you have a fishing license but they do not charge you a fee to fish in their lake and welcome you to rent one of the local campsites in the area to enjoy all night fishing. Drift Falls in the North Carolina Southern Highlands is not a real waterfall but rather a cascade of water that flows over gigantic rocks and then drops into a deep pool. This makes an ideal location for fishing. During the summer months the giant trout in this area are abundant. The best thing about this location are the huge rocks that jut out into the river and provide an excellent fishing spot for those long afternoon or all night fishing expeditions. A fishing license is required for this area and there is no charge for fishing. Sims Pond in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina provides the perfect spot for an afternoon of fishing for carp. Take a hike to the top of the hillside above the pond and you will be able to view very large trout swimming or feeding near the banks of the river. This pond is an excellent spot for fishing but there are several restrictions that you must adhere to. First of all, you must use artificial lures with single hooks only, treble hook lures are illegal and you will be charged if caught using them. The limit you can catch in one day is 5 trout that are no more than seven inches long. If you are caught with any kind of natural bait in your possession you will be fined, using natural bait is prohibited on this pond.

Price Lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, is a man made lake and considered one of the best fishing spots around because it is kept stocked with some of the largest trout to be found in this area. There are also boat rentals available and the fishing in either the lake or one of the streams leading into or out of Price Lake is excellent. You must always go by the states fishing regulations and have a fishing license. You can also purchase one day or longer permits for fishing, at nearby Blowing Mountain. The permit enables you to stay as long as you want, just remember to bring your camping equipment. Many of the campsites at Price Lake are setup within just a few feet of the water. This lake is always calm so it also makes an excellent swimming spot, although most people who visit this area do so for the fishing. All of these fishing spots are located on or near my favorite hiking trails and camping spots. So a short, easy to moderate hike is required to reach them. But the beautiful scenery and abundantly stocked lakes are well worth the hike. For information on more North Carolina fishing spots visit www.ncfishing.com.