North Carolina Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in North Carolina.
Lake Gaston
Jordan Lake
Lake Mattamuskeet
Lake Norman
More North Carolina lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Jordan LakeChatham & Durham Counties · 13,940 acres
Jordan Lake
Jordan Lake is an Army Corps reservoir southwest of Raleigh and Durham in Chatham County. It is one of North Carolina's best crappie lakes.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Crappie
Two pound crappie are possible, especially from November through February.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Blue Catfish
Deep channel edges. Fresh cut shad. Big fish in winter.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Ebenezer Church AccessFeeJordan Lake State Recreation Area ramp off Beaver Creek Rd; seasonal entrance feeDirections ↗
- Vista Point AccessFeeState recreation area ramp, open March to NovemberDirections ↗
- New Hope Overlook AccessFeeState recreation area ramp and trail at the south end, open year-roundDirections ↗
- Poplar Point AccessFeeState recreation area campground and ramp off US 64Directions ↗
- Crosswinds Boating CenterFeeState recreation area access on US 64 with marina and rampDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee NC Wildlife or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie Black and white combined. Lake not listed as exception for largemouth or striped bass (statewide applies); catfish not in table | 8 in | 20 / day combined |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Fiddle StixNearby5871 US-64, Pittsboro, NC(919) 542-0985Directions ↗
- Seagroves Supply CoNearby8321 NC 751 Hwy, Durham, NC(919) 544-3918Directions ↗
Local tips
- In winter, crappie hold on deep ledges and flats in 20 to 45 feet of water.
- Use a graph to find shad schools and suspended crappie, since their depth changes daily.
- Bridge pilings in deep water are reliable crappie spots.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Lake GastonHalifax, Northampton & Warren Counties · 20,300 acres
Lake Gaston
A 34-mile Dominion Energy hydropower lake on the Roanoke River along the North Carolina and Virginia line, just below Kerr Lake. It is known for largemouth bass in grass and docks, plus stocked striped bass and walleye.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Excellent population. Fish aquatic grass edges and the many boat docks.
Striped Bass
Stocked by NCWRC. Quality fish; spring runs up to the Kerr Dam tailwater.
Crappie
Docks, bridges and brush in creek arms. Minnows or small jigs.
Blue Catfish
Blue and channel catfish are common. Cut bait on channel edges.
Walleye
Stocked yearly by Virginia. Best in the upper lake in February and March.
Chain Pickerel
Shallow grass and wood in creeks, especially in cool months.
Boat launches
7 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Summit Boat LandingPublicNCWRC/VDWR landing, Halifax County NC. Double rampDirections ↗
- Salmon LandingPublicNCWRC/VDWR landing, Warren County NC. Single rampDirections ↗
- Hawtree CreekPublicNCWRC/VDWR landing, Warren County NC. Double rampDirections ↗
- Henrico Boat LandingPublicNCWRC/VDWR landing, NC side. Single rampDirections ↗
- Pea Hill CreekPublicNCWRC/VDWR landing, Brunswick County VA. Double rampDirections ↗
- Poplar CreekPublicNCWRC/VDWR landing, Mecklenburg County VA. Double rampDirections ↗
- Steel BridgePublicNCWRC/VDWR landing, Mecklenburg County VA. Single ramp, fishing platform, kayak launchDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Gaston are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Marvins Bait & TackleNearby210 Craige St, GastonDirections ↗
Local tips
- Hydrilla is present; clean plants off your boat, motor and trailer before leaving.
- Walleye fishing is best in the upper lake in late winter, February and March.
- The upper end below Kerr Dam has had low oxygen in summer; fish move with the cooler, oxygenated water.