FishKillFlea From the towering peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the barrier islands of the Outer Banks, North Carolina offers an incredible diversity of fisheries. A $49 Unified NC fishing license unlocks it all.
The Outer Banks & Coast (Requires Coastal License)
| Spot | Region | Species | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Hatteras Surf | Outer Banks | Red Drum, Bluefish | The "Drum Capital of the World" during the fall run! |
| Oregon Inlet | Outer Banks | Marlin, Tuna, Mahi | World-class offshore charter fleet |
| Pamlico Sound | Inshore Coast | Speckled Trout, Red Drum | Massive estuary system perfect for light tackle |
Piedmont Lakes (Requires Inland License)
| Water | Region | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Norman | Charlotte | Spotted Bass, Catfish | "The Inland Sea" — huge bass tournament scene |
| Falls Lake | Raleigh/Durham | Largemouth, Crappie | Consistently produces 8lb+ largemouth bass |
| Jordan Lake | Triangle | Striped Bass, Crappie | Thriving striper population just outside the city |
The Mountain Trout (Requires Trout Privilege)
| Water | Region | Species | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davidson River | Pisgah Forest | Brown, Rainbow Trout | Classic, famous fly-fishing stream |
| Nantahala River | Western NC | Rainbow Trout | Gorgeous tailwater flowing through a gorge |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Bass spawn, Crappie | Falls Lake, Jordan Lake | Pitch jigs to flooded bushes in April |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Marlin, Mahi, Bluegill | Oregon Inlet, Farm Ponds | Offshore fishing peaks out of Hatteras |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Bull Red Drum! | Cape Hatteras Surf | The massive Drum run in October is legendary |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Winter Trout, Stripers | Davidson River, Kerr Lake | Trout fishing remains good all winter |
Neighboring: Virginia for Kerr Lake overlap, Tennessee for mountain streams, South Carolina for Lake Wylie.
An NC Unified license is $49. See full costs or buy yours.