This table lists the public fishing area name, county, sponsor (entity that maintains the site), directions, fishery present and fee (if applicable). Some sites have a “Notes” section that provides additional information regarding the site. “Access Type” column denotes the type of access available at the site. The key is: B = boat ramp; C = small boat/canoe access; S = shore fishing (may include fishing pier at some sites); U = universally accessible. Because the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission does not manage many of the access sites listed below, access information and rules may differ from the information provided. All rules and posted restrictions should be followed. |
| Appalachia Reservoir | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Appalachia/ Cherokee County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Powerhouse Road, off S.R. 1314, northwest of Murphy near the Tennessee state line | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
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| Balsam Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Balsam Lake/ Jackson County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | From Sylva, N.C. 107 south, left on N.C. 281 at Tuckaseegee; ~ nine miles, left on S.R. 1756; continue ~ five miles. Follow U. S. Forest Service signs beginning at intersection of N.C. 107 and N.C. 281 to Balsam Lake. | Trout | C, U | No |
| Note: Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; a special trout fishing license is required. | |||||
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| Bear Creek Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Bear Creek/ Jackson County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On N.C. 281 (Canada Road), 4.1 miles east of N.C. 107, southeast of Sylva | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
| Note: Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; a special trout fishing license is required. | |||||
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| Belews Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Piney Bluff/ Forsyth County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On N.C. 65, southeast of Walnut Cove | Largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish | B, C | No |
| Pine Hall/ Stokes County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Pine Hall Road (S.R. 1904), off N.C. 311, east of Walnut Cove | Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C | No |
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| Broughton Pond | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Broughton Pond/ Burke County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | From I-40, U.S. 64 south for 0.8 mile; left on Salem Road (S.R. 1949). One mile and left on Burkemont Road (S.R. 1956); one mile and left on S.R. 2002. One mile to gravel road on right. | Largemouth bass, sunfish | C, U | No |
| Note: Due to small size of the ponds, a voluntary creel limit of five sunfish and two bass is recommended. Site is on Broughton tract of the South Mountains Game Land, which is managed by the Commission for hunting. A trout stamp is required. | |||||
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| Calderwood Reservoir | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Magazine Branch/ Swain County |
TAPOCA | Off U.S. 129, below Cheoah Dam | Trout, rock bass | B, C | No |
| Note: Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; a special trout fishing license is required. | |||||
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| Cedar Cliff Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Cedar Cliff/ Jackson County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Shook Cove Road (S.R. 1135) off N.C. 107, southeast of Sylva | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
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| Chatuge Reservoir | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Jackrabbit/ Clay County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Jack Rabbit Road (S.R. 1155) off N.C. 175, southeast of Hayesville | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
| Ledford Chapel/ Clay County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Ledford Chapel Road (S.R. 1151), off U.S. 64, southeast of Hayesville | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
| Clay County Park/ Clay County |
Clay County | On Sanderson Street, off U.S. 64, south of Hayesville | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
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| Cheoah Reservoir | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Cheoah/ Graham County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Fontana Village Campground road, off N.C. 28, near Fontana Village | Trout, smallmouth bass, rock bass | B, C | No |
| Farley Branch/ Graham County |
TAPOCA | Off Rhymer’s Ferry Road | Trout, smallmouth bass, rock bass | B, C | No |
| Note: Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; a special trout fishing license is required. | |||||
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| Chinquapin Trout Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Chinquapin Trout Lake/ Ashe County |
Ashe County Wildlife Club | From Jefferson, N.C. 88 east ~ 10 miles. Four miles on S.R. 1599; entrance is on right about .1 mile past the beginning of paved section. | Trout | S, C, U | No |
| Note: Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; a special trout fishing license is required. | |||||
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| Fontana Reservoir | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Cable Cove/ Graham County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Cable Cove Road (S.R. 1287), off N.C. 28, west of Bryson City | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, white bass, sunfish, catfish | B, C | No |
| Flat Branch/ Swain County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Greasy Branch Road (S.R. 1313), off Round Hill Road (S.R. 1312), west of Bryson City | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, white bass, sunfish, catfish | B, C | No |
| Old 288/ Swain County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Bryson Walk (S.R. 1321)/Old 288, off Slope Street (S.R. 1323), west of Bryson City | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, white bass, sunfish, catfish | B, C | No |
| Tsali/ Swain County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Tsali Road (S.R. 1286) off N.C. 28, on the Graham/Swain county line | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, white bass, sunfish, catfish | B, C | No |
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| Glenville Lake/Lake Thorpe | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Lake Thorpe/ Jackson County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On S.R. 1157, 2.7 miles off N.C. 107, north of Cashiers | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye | B, C | No |
| Powerhouse Site/ Jackson County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On S.R. 1157, 1.3 mile off N.C. 107, north of Cashiers | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye | B, C | No |
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| Hiwassee Reservoir | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Grape Creek/ Cherokee County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Joe Brown Hwy./Tennessee Street, west of Murphy | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
| Hanging Dog/ Cherokee County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Hanging Dog Road (S.R. 1447) off Joe Brown Hwy./Tennessee Street, west of Murphy | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
| Ramsey Bluff/ Cherokee County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Ramsey Bluff Road, off Hanging Dog Road (S.R. 1447), west of Murphy | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
| Mickens Branch/ Cherokee County |
Tennessee Valley Authority | On Hiwassee Dam Road, west of Murphy | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
| Murphy Ramp/ Cherokee County |
Tennessee Valley Authority | Next to U.S. 19 Business bridge, in Murphy | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye | B, C | No |
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| Lake Hickory | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Dusty Ridge/ Alexander County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On north side of lake on S.R. 1185, off S.R. 1138, west of Taylorsville Beach | Striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C | No |
| Whittenburg/ Alexander County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Wildlife Access Road, off Shiloh Church Road, off N.C. 127, in Bethlehem | Striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C, U | No |
| Gunpowder/ Caldwell County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Hurricane Hill Road, off Grace Chapel Road (S.R. 1758), east of Granite Falls | Striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C, U | No |
| Lovelady/ Caldwell County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Rocky Mount Road, off Grace Chapel Road (S.R. 1758), north of Hickory | Striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C, U | No |
| Oxford/ Catawba County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Claude Road, off St. Peters Church Road, off N.C. 16, on the southeast side of lake | Striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C, U | No |
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| Lake James | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Canal Bridge Access Area/ Burke County |
N.C. State Parks | On N.C. 126, south of Benfield Landing Road (S.R. 1234), northwest of Marion | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish | B, C, U | No |
| Hidden Cove Access Area/ McDowell County |
N.C. State Parks | On N.C. 126, near Lake James State Park headquarters, northeast of Marion | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish | B, C | No |
| Linville River/ Burke County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On N.C. 126, off Jamestown Road, northwest of Morganton | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish | B, C | No |
| Black Bear/ McDowell County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Lake James Road, off Hankins Road, off N.C. 226/221, northeast of Marion | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish | B, C, U | No |
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| Lake Julian | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Lake Julian/ Buncombe County |
Buncombe County Parks and Recreation | At Lake Julian State Park, in Skyland, south of Asheville | Largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish | B, C, S | Yes |
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| Lake Norman | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Blythe Landing/ Mecklenburg County |
Mecklenburg County | On N.C. 73, west of Huntersville | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C, S, U | Yes |
| Ramsey Creek Access/ Mecklenburg County |
Mecklenburg County | On Nantz Road, off Catawba Avenue, southwest of Cornelius | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C, S, U | Yes |
| Long Island/ Catawba County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Long Island Road (S.R. 1833), off Sherrills Ford Road, west of Mooresville | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C, U | No |
| Hager Creek/ Iredell County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Mackendree Road (S.R. 1115), off Brawley School Road (S.R. 1100), west of Mooresville | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C, U | No |
| McCrary Creek/ Iredell County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On N.C. 150, 3.9 miles west of I-77, west of Mooresville | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C | No |
| Pinnacle/ Iredell County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On N.C. 150, 4.4 miles west of I-77, west of Mooresville | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C, U | No |
| Beatties Ford/ Lincoln County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On S.R. 1438, off Old N.C. 73, east of Lincolnton | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C, U | No |
| Little Creek/ Lincoln County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Burtan Lane (S.R. 1376), off Webb Road, northeast of Lincolnton | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C | No |
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| Lake Rhodhiss | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Huffman Bridge Access/ Burke County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On S.R. 1501, off N.C. 18, northeast of Morganton | Largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish, suckers, crappie, catfish | C | No |
| Rhodhiss/ Burke County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Weaver Lane, off S.R. 1611, north of Icard and I-40 | Largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish, suckers, crappie, catfish | B, C | No |
| John’s River/ Burke County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On N.C. 18, off U.S. 64, north of Morganton | Largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish, suckers, crappie, catfish | B, C | No |
| Castle Bridge/ Caldwell County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Rutherford College Road, off I-40 at exit 113, northeast of Valdese | Largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish, suckers, crappie, catfish | B, C, U | No |
| Conley Creek/ Caldwell County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Waterworks Road, off Dry Pond Road, northeast of Valdese | Largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish, suckers, crappie, catfish | B, C | No |
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| Lake Santeetlah | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Avey Creek/ Graham County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Joyce Kilmer Road (S.R. 1134), off S.R. 1147, northwest of Robbinsville | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, walleye, yellow perch | B, C | No |
| Cheoah Point/ Graham County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On S.R. 1147, off 1146, northwest of Robbinsville | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, walleye, yellow perch | B, C, U | No |
| Ranger Station/ Graham County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On N.C. 143, off N.C. 129, northwest of Robbinsville | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, walleye, yellow perch | B, C | No |
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| Lake Wylie | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Copperhead Island/ Mecklenburg County |
Mecklenburg County | On Soldier Road, off Shopton Road, west of Charlotte | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C, S, U | Yes |
| McDowell Park/ Mecklenburg County |
Mecklenburg County | On York Road, off N.C. 49, west of Charlotte | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C, S, U | Yes |
| South Point/ Gaston County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Southpoint Road (S.R. 2525), off N.C. 273, southeast of Gastonia | Largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass, white perch | B, C, U | No |
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| Lookout Shoals Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Lookout Shoals/ Catawba County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On S.R. 1006, off Oxford School Road (N.C. 10), northeast of Conover | Largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C | No |
| Sharon/ Iredell County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Old Lion Road (S.R. 1530), off S.R. 1009, west of Statesville | Largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C | No |
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| Moss Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Moss Lake/ Cleveland County |
Kings Mountain | On Oak Grove Road, north of U.S. 74 and northwest of Kings Mountain | Largemouth bass, crappie, hybrid striped bass, sunfish | B, C, S, U | Yes |
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| Mountain Island Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Neck Road/ Mecklenburg County |
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | On Neck Road, off Beatties Ford Road (S.R. 2074), southwest of Huntersville | Largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, crappie, striped bass, white bass, white perch | B, C, U | No |
| Riverbend/ Gaston County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Horseshoe Bend Beach Road (S.R. 1912), off NC. 16, southwest of Huntersville | Largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, crappie, striped bass, white bass, white perch | B, C, U | No |
| Davidson Creek/ Gaston County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Horseshoe Bend Beach Road (S.R. 1912), off N.C. 16, southwest of Huntersville | Largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, crappie, striped bass, white bass, white perch | B, C, U | No |
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| Nantahala Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Choga Road/ Macon County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Big Choga Road (S.R. 1657), off Junaluska Road (S.R. 1505), east of Andrews | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye, yellow perch | B, C | No |
| Rocky Branch/ Macon County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Big Choga Road (S.R. 1657), off Junaluska Road (S.R. 1505), east of Andrews | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye, yellow perch | B, C | No |
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| Queens Creek Reservoir | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Queens Creek/ Macon County |
Duke Power | On Winding Stairs Road, off U.S. 19/74 | Trout, sunfish | C | No |
| Note: Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; a special trout fishing license is required. | |||||
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| Salem Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Salem Lake/ Forsyth County |
City of Winston-Salem | On Salem Lake Road, off Reynolds Park Drive, on east side of Winston-Salem | Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C, S | Yes |
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| Tanassee Reservoir | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Tanassee/ Jackson County |
Duke Power | On N.C. 281, just south of Wolf Creek Lake, near Transylvania County line | Trout, sunfish | C | No |
| Note: Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; a special trout fishing license is required. | |||||
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| W. Kerr Scott Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Bandit’s Roost/ Wilkes County |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | On Walsh Road, off N.C. 268, just west of Wilkesboro | Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C | Yes |
| Boomer/ Wilkes County |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | On Boomer Road (S.R. 1114), off N.C. 268, west of Wilkesboro | Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C | Yes |
| Fort Hamby/ Wilkes County |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | On South Recreation Road, off U.S. 421, west of Wilkesboro | Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C | Yes |
| Keowee/ Wilkes County |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | On Warrior Creek Road, off N.C. 268, west of Wilkesboro | Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C, S | Yes |
| Dam Site/ Wilkes County |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | On Headquarters Road (S.R. 1178), off NC. 268, west of Wilkesboro | Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C | Yes |
| Smithey’s Creek/ Wilkes County |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | On South Minton Road (S.R. 1147), off U.S. 421, west of Wilkesboro | Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish | B, C | Yes |
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| Wolf Creek Lake | |||||
| Access Name/ County |
Sponsor | Directions | Species | Access Type | Fee |
| Wolf Creek/ Jackson County |
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | On Wolf Pen Road (S.R. 1758), off N.C. 281, southeast of Sylva | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, trout | B, C | No |
| Note: Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; a special trout fishing license is required. | |||||