FISHING NFNC

The Nantahala River and Reservoir are located in Macon and Swain counties.  The Nantahala reservoir as well as the river attracts anglers from all over the country.  This area provides a diversity of fishing opportunities from crappie, trout, walleye, catfish, bass, and sunfish in the reservoir to the delayed harvest trout waters below the dam to the Beechertown Power plant. Below the power plant is approximately 9 miles of the Nantahala River gorge.  This area supports a wide variety of outdoor activities including whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking, fishing, hiking, camping and photography.

Access:  From Waynesville follow Hwy 19 23 west past Bryson City.  At the junction of Hwy 23 North, merge left into the Nantahala gorge.

Camping:  Primitive campsites are available in the Nantahala Reservoir area and in the delayed harvest stretch of Nantahala river but provide no facilities.  There are several privately owned campgrounds within the Nantahala Gorge area open during the rafting season. 

Comments:  This area attracts outdoorsmen and women from all over the world. 

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

Wayah Ranger District
90 Sloan Road
Franklin, NC  28734

Nantahala Reservoir

The Nantahala reservoir is located in Macon County on the Wayah Ranger District.  This reservoir is regulated and maintained by Duke Power and Company.  Some of the shoreline is owned by the public and managed by the Nantahala National Forest.  There is one public boating access area, which is maintained by the NCWRC.  Fish in the reservoir include walleye, crappie, sunfish, trout, and bass. 

Access:  From the junction of Hwy 19 23 and Hwy 28 north take Hwy 19 to the Nantahala River Launch Site to NC1310.  Follow NC1310 to SR308 on right.  Take SR308 to FS67.  After you pass the Apple Tree Campground take SR1401 then back onto FS67.  Follow signs to boating access area.

Primitive Camping allowed on public National Forest Lands except where signed, “no camping”. 

Comments:  Many anglers enjoy fishing this reservoir due to the low number of boaters and the spectacular scenery.

Nantahala River

The section of the Nantahala River from the Reservoir Dam to Whiteoak Creek is designated as hatchery supported trout waters. From Whiteoak Creek to the Beechertown Power Station is hatchery supported / delayed harvest trout waters.  (Most of the lower stretch before the powerhouse is easily accessible because the river flows by SR1310.) The lower stretch of the Nantahala River in Swain county (Macon Co. line to existing Fontana Lake water level) is managed as hatchery supported trout waters.

Species Present:  Rainbow, Brook and Brown trout are present, all hatchery supported. 

Seasons: In the portions of the Nantahala River which are designated Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, the season  is closed from March 1 through April 6, 2002. In these Hatchery-Supported Waters there is no size limit or bait restriction and the creel limit is seven trout per day.   

For the delayed harvest section from Whiteoak creek to Beechertown Power Station, the Nantahala River may be fished only with artificial lures with one single hook, no natural bait may be possessed and no fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing these waters between October 1, 2001 and one-half hour after sunset on May 31, 2002. These waters are closed to fishing between one-half hour after sunset on May 31 and 6:00 am on June 1. At 6:00 am on June 1 these waters open to fishing under Hatchery Supported regulations-no bait restriction, no minimum length limit and 7 trout per day creel limit. These waters are marked with black and white signs.