FISHING NFNC

  South Toe River Area  

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Map of the South Toe Area (104kb)   South Toe Upper Creek Lower Creek

The South Toe River Area is located in Yancey County, on the east slope of Mount Mitchell. This area is close to Mount Mitchell State Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Burnsville, and is easily accessible by car.  Rivers and streams within the South Toe River Area support a variety of fishing opportunities including backcountry trout fishing on Upper and Lower Creeks to more accessible stream fishing on the South Toe River.  Occasional large rainbow trout are caught on the middle South Toe River.

Access:  From Asheville, follow Highway 19/23 North to Mars Hill, and exit left onto Highway 19 (the Interstate 26 corridor is under construction and all traffic exits here—be sure to bear right at this exit).  Follow Highway 19 through Burnsville and turn right onto Highway 80 approximately 4 miles outside of town.  Turn right again onto Highway 80 in the town of Micaville.  Follow Highway 80 South past Mount Mitchell Golf Course and bear an immediate right onto FS 472 (Highway 80 continues to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Marion).  FS 472 follows the South Toe River to its headwaters.  Upper and Lower Creeks are marked on this road.

From the Blue Ridge Parkway, turn onto FS 472 near milepost 344 and Highway 80. 

From Interstate 40, take Exit 72 (Old Fort).  Follow Highway 70 to intersection of Highway 80.  Turn left onto Highway 80 and follow under the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Mount Mitchell Golf Course.  Bear left onto FS 472.

Camping:   The Carolina Hemlocks and Black Mountain Campgrounds offer overnight camping for trailers and tents.  Restroom facilities, drinking water, tent pads, and grills, and a trailer dump station (Black Mountain Campground only) are available.  Sites are first-come, first-served, and a fee is required to camp in these campgrounds.

The Briar Bottom Group Camp is available for larger groups through a reservation system (1-877-457-4023, Cradle of Forestry in America).  These facilities offer restrooms and drinking water.  There is a fee and minimum group size required to camp here.

Primitive camping is allowed on Forest Service lands throughout the South Toe River area, except where signed “no camping”.  Exceptions to this rule may occur along major Forest Service roads, where primitive campsites have been designated and signed to protect water quality and other natural resources.

Comments:  Black bear density is higher than average in this area, so if camping, be sure to bear-proof your campsite!

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

Appalachian Ranger District
19-E By-Pass, P.O. Box 128
Burnsville, North Carolina 28714
(828) 682-6146

Lower South Toe River 

The lower South Toe River (below the confluence with Clear Creek) is managed under the NCWRC’s Hatchery Supported regulations.  There are no bait or size restrictions in this section of the River.  The lower South Toe River bisects the Carolina Hemlocks Campground.

Species Present:  brook trout (hatchery-raised), and brown and rainbow trout (hatchery-raised and wild), occasional sunfish (mostly redbreast and smallmouth bass)

Seasons:  The lower South Toe River is closed to fishing from March 1 through the first Saturday in April.  All other days, seven trout may be harvested per angler per day, with no size limit.  This section of the river is posted with green and white diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.

Middle South Toe River

The middle South Toe River (between the game lands boundary along FS 472 and the first concrete bridge above Black Mountain Campground, excluding tributaries) is managed under the NCWRC’s Catch and Release, Fly-Fishing Only regulations.  This portion of the River is wide and shallow, although several deep pools make chest-waders a must.  The middle South Toe River flows through the Black Mountain Campground.

Species Present:  rainbow and brown trout (wild), occasional brook trout (wild).  It is not uncommon to find trophy-sized brown and rainbow trout, although they have proven to be pretty wily.  

Seasons:  The middle South Toe River is open to fishing year-round.  These waters may be fished with artificial flies having one single hook.  No fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing the middle South Toe River. This area is posted with red and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.

Upper South Toe River

The upper South Toe River (above the first concrete bridge above Black Mountain Campground, excluding Lower and Upper Creeks) is managed under the NCWRC’s Wild Trout regulations.  This portion of the River is steeper and flows through steep, rough terrain.  Although FS 472 follows it to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the road is often at the top of some very steep mountainsides.  It does, however, cross the River several times before reaching the Parkway.

Species Present:  rainbow and brown trout (wild), occasional brook trout (wild).   

Seasons:  The upper South Toe River is open to fishing year-round.  These waters may be fished with artificial lures having one single hook.  Four trout at least 7 inches long may be harvester per angler per day.  This area is posted with blue and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.

Lower and Upper Creeks

These streams are among the most pristine around.  Old logging roads follow both creeks for a ways, but then you’re on your own.  The country is wild and beautiful.

Species Present:  brook trout (wild), and occasional rainbow trout (wild).

Seasons:  Lower and Upper Creeks are managed under the NCWRC’s Catch and Release, Artificial Lures Only regulations, and may be fished year-round with artificial lures having one single hook.  No natural bait is allowed.  No fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing these streams.  These areas are posted with purple and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.