FISHING NFNC

Santeetlah Reservoir
Map of Santeelah Area (100kb)	click photo to enlarge

Santeetlah reservoir is located in Graham County and surrounded by the Cheoah District of the Nantahala National Forest.  While the lake surface and land below the high water level is owned and managed by Tapoco, Inc., almost 80 percent of shoreline is public land managed by the Forest Service.  Santeetlah has a wide variety of fish including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and walleye.  Formerly, Santeetlah was the home of the state record largemouth and walleye.  Santeetlah also has a good population of crappie, sunfish, and trout. 

Access: From Robbinsville follow Hwy 129 North to Santeetlah Reservoir. Follow signs to boating and fishing access areas. 

Cheoah Point is located approximately 7 miles from Robbinsville on Hwy 129 North.  Turn left at sign and go 0.8 miles to Cheoah Point

Camping:  Cheoah Point is open all year around and offers a swimming beach, tent and trailer campground with restrooms and water and picnic area.   This campground is offered on a first come first serve basis and there is a fee required for overnight stay.

There are over 50 primitive campsites located around the reservoir.  These sites have no facilities and no fees or permits are required however we do ask that you pack it in and pack it out, be sanitary, protect the water, use established campsites, protect the trees, be careful with fire, use existing trails, and follow the stay limits. 

Comments:  This reservoir is popular among a diverse group of anglers.  Trout fisherman and bass fisherman enjoy the wide variety of fisheries within Santeetlah Reservoir. 

For more information:  Contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_03_fishing.htm  for more information on local fishing regulations and license requirements.  Trail and local topographic maps are available from:

Cheoah Ranger District
Route 1, Box 16A
Robbinsville, NC  28771