- MARCH. STRIPED BASS: Roanoke River.
- MAY. LARGEMOUTH BASS: Randleman Lake.
- JUNE. KING MACKEREL: Kure Beach.
- JULY. MUSKELLUNGE: lake james.
- AUGUST. SUNFISH: Chowan River.
- SEPTEMBER. FLOUNDER: Morehead City.
- NOVEMBER. WHITING: Cape Fear River.
- DECEMBER. NEW BERN: Speckled Trout.
Table of Contents
Can you fish in fall in NC?
Fall fishing in North Carolina is chock-full of great opportunities. Here are some of the best places and species to target. The fall is a great time to be on the water in North Carolina.
What fish are biting in Lake James NC?
About Lake James The most popular species caught here are Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, and Channel catfish. 479 catches are logged on Fishbrain.
What is biting at Lake James?
Lake James has a population of hefty smallmouth North Carolina fishermen don’t have to fantasize about leaping smallmouth bass from northern waters or distant Canadian lakes. They can catch quality smallmouth up to 5 pounds at 6,800-acre Lake James in the Foothills west of Morganton.
How do you catch fish in Lake James NC?

What is the best time to fish in North Carolina?
The best time of year to fish in North Carolina is from April through September for largemouth bass, trout, redfish, mahi-mahi, flounder, tuna, and striped bass. The best time of day for fishing is early mornings & late afternoons.
Are there walleye in Lake James?
Like some species of fish in Lake James, not all catfish are native to the Catawba River drainage. While bullhead and white catfish are native, blue and channel catfish are native to the Mississippi River drainages and have been introduced to Lake James to support sport-fishing opportunities.
Is there trout in Lake James NC?
The Northern pike, a close relative of the muskellunge not found in North Carolina, only has 10 pores underneath the jaw. The chain pickerel is some- time mistaken for a small muskellunge, but the pickerel has a black bar beneath the eye and the muskellunge does not.
Is there catfish in Lake James?
The clean clear water makes for great tasting fish of all species. Nice boat ramps, multiple marinas, boat rentals and camping facilities are all at your service. Bring the family, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and experience some excellent fishing at James Lake.
Are there northern pike in North Carolina?
A football jig is a tried and true bait for catching smallmouth. Pair the jigs rubber skit with a crawfish plastic trailer or grub to provide lifelike action. Drag the jig around boulders and other rock areas that are holding fish. Another productive bait for smallmouth bass fishing is a tube or a grub on its own.
What town is Lake James NC in?
The lake is located between the towns of Marion and Morganton. It’s an easy 45-mile drive from Asheville.
Is fishing good in Lake James?
The 700-ft. long beach is open May through September, 10 AM-6 PM every day. It features a bathhouse with nice changing rooms, concessions, and a protected swim area. Lake James is about 45 miles east of Asheville (between Marion and Morganton) and has two sections.
How do you catch smallmouth bass in a lake?
November is about flounder, redfish, trout, and mullet. Some of the best flounder fishing of the year happens this month in the bays and the near shore reefs and wrecks. Trout are strong on the flats taking topwater lures.
Does Lake James have a beach?
A flat-sided, square-billed crankbait is great for covering water, and when you’re casting at targets in the fall, it’s less likely to get hung up than a standard crankbait.
What fish bites in November NC?
Ocean: Anglers can catch plenty of yellowfin tuna, as well as wahoo, in the winter when conditions permit.
Can you fish in November in NC?
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries today announced that the 2022 recreational flounder season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30.
Can you catch fish in the winter in NC?
The southern flounder is the most popular because it is caught from all inshore waters. The summer flounder is the second most popular because it inhabits the nearshore ledges and reefs from the inlets out to about 10 miles offshore.
What is the flounder season in North Carolina for 2022?
For walleye enthusiasts there are several lakes with notable populations of walleye. Those lakes include 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.
What is the most caught fish in North Carolina?
Walleye spawn in water temperatures of mid 50s to low 60s. Walleye have copper, dark brown or olive green sides. They are named for their large flat looking eyes. They prefer colder waters and are not native to Lake Norman but can be found in some of the Catawba river lakes to the north.
What lakes have walleye in NC?
Walleye are present as well, although they are not very abundant.
Are there walleye in Lake Norman NC?
The Catawba River in western North Carolina is a diverse trout fishery that includes wild brook trout in its headwaters to trophy brown trout in the tailwater below Lake James.
Are there walleye in Kerr lake NC?
One of Field’s favorite spots, the Catawba River is known for its bass fishingโparticularly largemouth bass. This portion of the river, near Rock Hill, is sluggish and muddy with lots of vegetation, making it the perfect largemouth habitat.
Does Catawba River have trout?
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.
Is the Catawba River good for fishing?
Lake Rhodhiss was birthed with 90 miles of shoreline and a surface area of approximately 3,060 acres. Full pond elevation is 995.1 feet.
What kind of fish are in the Catawba River NC?
Although trolling minnow-imitation lures can attract catfish, more than 99 percent of them are taken on dead or live bait. Chicken livers and gizzards, shrimp, nightcrawlers, red worms, fish belly strips and stink baits are all used as catfish bait, which most anglers send straight to the bottom.