French Broad River This is one of the oldest rivers in the world and holds some of the best smallmouth bass fishing and musky fishing on the east coast. This river is only accessible by drift boat or jet boat.
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Can you fish the French Broad river in NC?
FRENCH BROAD RIVER FLY FISHING It’s one of the oldest rivers in the world, and one of the few that cross a continental divide. It offers anglers the opportunity to catch trout, smallmouth bass, musky, walleye, and a variety of other species in a variety of water types.
What kind of fish are in the French Broad river NC?
The river itself supports a variety of warm and cool water fish including large and smallmouth bass, rock bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, carp and sauger. Many of the tributaries of the French Broad River support trout as well.
Where in North Carolina can you catch smallmouth bass?
Places to Fish: In North Carolina, smallmouth bass often inhabit coolwater streams, lakes and reservoirs in the western part of the state. They are rarely found in small ponds or lakes less than 25 feet deep or in any water that is continuously murky or polluted.
Is the French Broad river stocked?
For the classic trout fishing experience, the East Fork of the French Broad is ideal. As part of the North Carolina Late Harvest Program, this tributary of the French Broad is stocked and protected, so its cool waters are teeming with fish in late spring.
Can you eat fish from French Broad River?
There are no specific advisories for the French Broad River, but health officials warn folks not to consume too much fish (bass, pickerel, catfish, perch and crappie) high in mercury.
Where can I fish on the French Broad river?
- Mile 52 Westfeldt Park (includes boat ramp and dock)
- Mile 54 Glenn Bridge Park (Hwy 191 Access)
- Mile 57 Ledbetter/ Long Shoals Road Access.
- Mile 60 Bent Creek Boat Launch (Under BR Parkway)
- Mile 66 Hominy Creek Boat Launch (Stair Access)
What lures to use on the French Broad river?
But an assortment of soft bait and grubs and 1/4-1/2oz heads is a must for any season. Crank baits in a crawdad pattern are always a staple, and jointed Rapala and stick baits are always a good bet in the warm seasons. Spinner baits can be productive and fuchsia, black or red are good colors to try.
Can you wade in the French Broad river?
Because of the variety of river bottom types, the French Broad can be a difficult river to wade. With the limestone ledges that often run the entire width of the river, wading boots with studded soles are recommended.
Are there trout in the French River?
Brown trout are present throughout most of the stream and normally caught up to 10 inches in length. Rainbow trout juveniles are stocked annually for rearing in the French River and can typically be caught up to 8 inches in length before they immigrate to Lake Superior, but cannot be harvested.
Where is the best place to catch smallmouth bass?
- Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
- Bay de Noc, Michigan.
- Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota.
- Lake Erie, New York.
- Columbia River, Washington.
- Lake St.
- St.
- Lake Pickwick, Tennessee/Mississippi/Alabama.
Where is the best bass fishing in North Carolina?
- High Rock Lake. For all the deep water anglers out there, High Rock is your kind of lake.
- Fontana Lake. A thriving smallmouth lake in the south?
- Lake Phelps.
- Shearon Harris Lake.
- Lake Sutton.
- Lake Waccamaw.
- Jordan Lake.
Is there smallmouth bass in the Catawba river?
The river system is populated with a variety of freshwater fish. Its upper reaches teem with trout, walleye and smallmouth bass, as well as other cold-water species. As the river flows south and warms, largemouth, striped bass and catfish take center stage.
What animals live in the French Broad river?
Animals living near the river include black bears, beavers, river otters, turtles, salamanders, and a variety of songbirds and raptors. In fact, the French Broad is the only river basin that’s home to the distinctive Eastern spiny softshell turtle.
Can you trout fish in March in NC?
Synonymous with what many consider “trout season,” Hatchery Supported trout waters are open from 7 a.m. on the first Saturday in April until a half-hour after sunset on the last day of February the following year (and closed for the month of March).
When can I fly fish in NC?
The best times are early spring in April and May and in October. For people who want to take fish home, Burnette recommends booking a trip during the summer catch-and-keep season.
Are there trout in the Broad River?
The first 4 or 5 miles of the river are home to a mix of stocked and wild trout. Big brown trout lurk in these waters and when fishing in the right conditions seeing a 2-footer is far from uncommon.
Is there sturgeon in NC?
In North Carolina, Lake Sturgeon have been reintroduced into the lower French Broad River downstream of Marshall, in Madison County, where the species has been stocked annually since 2015.
What kind of fish are in broad river?
Some other species that are found in the French Broad river are walleye, crappie, largemouth bass, perch, white bass, sturgeon, and pickerel. While many species can be limited, they are still living below the surface.
Does the French Broad River flow north?
The French Broad River is formed by the junction of the North Fork and West Fork in southern Transylvania County near the town of Rosman. It flows northeast into Henderson County, where it then turns northwest and courses through Buncombe and Madison Counties.
Where does the broad river begin and end?
The Broad River originates in the mountains of western North Carolina and flows south east through the foothills and Piedmont before entering South Carolina.
What is the best bait for small mouth?
Jigs. Jigs are the most popular and best overall smallmouth bass lure, for two main reasons. There is no wrong time of year to be fishing for smallmouth with some kind of a jig. And secondly, jigs are well-known as big bass producers, so they have high potential for landing a trophy smallmouth.
Where is the musky mile on the French Broad?
Simply because there are no mile markers on the river, and secondly, there is no sign to show anglers where to go (thankfully). The musky mile is an easy stretch to access. The put-in is at Hap Simpson Park, floating down to Wilson Road Bridge, behind Lowes Home Improvements in Brevard, NC.
How do you catch a muskie in NC?
Fishing Tips: Anglers often fish large pools and around woody debris. Because musky are large and toothy, heavy baitcasting tackle spooled with 30-pound test line or stronger is common. Lures include large crankbaits, spoons, bucktails and spinner-baits, as well as live suckers and other large baitfish.
Can you fish the Broad River?
Not only is the fishing good, but it also receives very little pressure. There’s virtually no public access and because the river is so shallow and rocky, the only way you can fish it is from a canoe or kayak.