North Carolina

The Davidson River is North Carolina's premier wild trout stream, flowing through the heart of Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County. With over 8 miles of Delayed Harvest water, exceptional access, and healthy populations of rainbow, brown, and brook trout, the Davidson delivers consistent fishing in a spectacular mountain setting that rivals any Eastern trout stream.

Deep Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers classic mountain brook trout fishing in a protected wilderness setting. With easy access from Bryson City, scenic waterfalls, and healthy populations of wild rainbow and brown trout (plus native brook trout in the headwaters), Deep Creek provides family-friendly fishing in one of the East's most beautiful landscapes.

The French Broad River is Western North Carolina's premier warmwater fly fishing destination, offering exceptional smallmouth bass fishing within minutes of downtown Asheville. While the upper reaches hold wild trout, the river's reputation rests on its prolific smallmouth bass population and Delayed Harvest trout sections that provide year-round fishing opportunities.

The Linville River carves one of the most dramatic gorges in the Eastern United States, plunging 2,000 feet through the Blue Ridge escarpment in a series of spectacular waterfalls and wild pocket water. Designated as Wild Trout water, the Linville offers adventurous fly fishers challenging access, stunning scenery, and wild rainbow, brown, and brook trout in a true wilderness setting.

The Mitchell River flows through the rolling Piedmont foothills of Northwestern North Carolina, offering a unique combination of wild trout in the headwaters and excellent smallmouth bass fishing in the lower sections. With Special Regulation Trout Water, easy access near Mount Airy, and a friendly, pastoral character, the Mitchell provides quality fishing in a relaxed setting.

The Nantahala River below Nantahala Lake is North Carolina's most unique trout fishery, combining frigid tailwater flows, year-round trout habitat, and the stunning scenery of the Nantahala Gorge. Despite sharing the river with commercial whitewater rafting operations, fly fishers find excellent opportunities for rainbow and brown trout in this cold, clear, dam-controlled environment.

The South Toe River flows through the scenic Black Mountain range of Western North Carolina, offering productive Wild Trout fishing in a beautiful rural valley setting. With excellent roadside access, Delayed Harvest regulations, and healthy populations of wild and stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout, the South Toe provides approachable fishing for anglers of all skill levels.

The Tuckasegee River below Bryson City offers North Carolina anglers a taste of Western-style tailwater fishing, with year-round fishable flows, Delayed Harvest regulations, and consistent populations of rainbow and brown trout. The combination of dam-controlled flows from Fontana Lake and easy roadside access makes the Tuckasegee an approachable destination for anglers of all skill levels.

The Watauga River in the High Country of Northwestern North Carolina offers a mix of freestone pocket water and meadow runs flowing through scenic valley farmland. With Wild Trout designation, excellent public access through Valle Crucis, and healthy populations of wild rainbow, brown, and brook trout, the Watauga provides quality fishing just minutes from Boone.

Wilson Creek flows through the rugged backcountry of Pisgah National Forest, offering adventurous fly fishers a wilderness trout experience. Designated as Wild Trout water and protected within the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River corridor, this boulder-strewn mountain stream holds wild rainbow, brown, and brook trout in a remote, challenging setting.