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North Mills River Area |
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| Map of North Mills River (131kb) | North Mills | Big Creek | Fletcher Creek |
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North Mills River Area |
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| Map of North Mills River (131kb) | North Mills | Big Creek | Fletcher Creek |
The North Mills River area is located in northwestern Henderson County. This area is close to Asheville and Hendersonville, and is easily accessible by car. Rivers and streams within the North Mills River area support a variety of fishing opportunities ranging from backcountry trout fishing on Big and Fletcher Creeks to more accessible trout angling on the North Mills River.
Access: From Asheville, follow Interstate 26 East to Exit 9 (Asheville Regional Airport). At Exit 9, follow SR 1419 past the airport, to the intersection with Highway 191. Turn left onto Highway 191, and then turn right onto SR 1345. Follow signs to the North Mills Recreation Area.
Camping: The North Mills River Recreation Area offers overnight camping for trailers and tents. Restroom facilities, drinking water, tent pads, grills, and a trailer dump station are available. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served, and there is a fee required to camp here.
Primitive camping is allowed on forest Service lands throughout the North Mills 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: This area is popular among local anglers because of the diversity of fishing opportunities available. It is also extremely popular among mountain bikers and horseback riders, so be aware that you will probably not be the only one using the area.
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:
Pisgah Ranger District
1001 Pisgah Highway
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina 28768
(828) 877-3350
The North Mills River is managed under the NCWRC’s Delayed Harvest regulations. Stocking of these waters has produced occasional trophy-sized trout in streams that otherwise provide marginal trout fishing. The delayed harvest regulations allow those stocked fish to be caught more than once and allows them to grow to a larger size before harvest.
Species Present: brook trout (hatchery-raised), and brown and rainbow trout (both hatchery-raised and wild).
Seasons: The North Mills River may be fished only with artificial lures with one single hook. Natural bait may not be possessed and no fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing this river between October 1 and ˝ hour after sunset on the first Friday in June. The North Mills River is closed to all fishing from ˝ hour after sunset on the first Friday in June until 6:00 a.m. on the following day (the first Saturday in June). At 6:00 a.m. on the first Saturday in June, the North Mills River may be fished under the Hatchery Supported regulations, with no bait restrictions, no minimum length limit, and 7 trout per day creel limit. The river is posted with black and white diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.
Trails follow Big Creek and Fletcher Creek, making these streams very accessible by foot, mountain bike, or horse. These streams are easily accessible, with extensive, well-maintained trail systems.
Species Present: rainbow trout
Seasons: Big Creek and Fletcher Creek are managed under the NCWRC’s Wild Trout regulations and may be fished year-round, with artificial lures having one single hook. No natural bait is allowed. Four trout at least 7 inches in length may be harvested per angler per day. These areas are posted with blue and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.
