The Catawba Angler offers guided bass fishing trips on the best rivers and lakes in North Carolina. Below is a resource for some of the lakes and rivers in the state that holds bass in them. The Tarheel State has three major geological regions which include the Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont, and Atlantic Coastal Plains.(West to East) All three regions boasts some excellent bass fishing in the lakes and rivers. The only natural lakes in the state are located in the Coastal Plain region which begins around the Raleigh area and extends to the Atlantic Ocean. The lakes in the mountain and Piedmont regions are the result of dammed rivers. The Catawba River runs through both regions and is home to 7 lakes that offers good bass fishing. These lakes are named the Catawba River Chain of Lakes. The lakes that make up the Catawba River Chain are Lake James, Lake Rhodiss, Lake Hickory, Lookout Shoals Lake, Lake Norman, and Lake Wylie. Lake James is the best bass fishing lake on the Catawba River chain and is home to both smallmouth and largemouth bass. The lake draws many anglers from the Piedmont and coastal plain region looking to catch both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Lake James is home to some of the biggest smallmouth bass in the state. In February of 2020, a 7 pound, 3 ounce smallmouth was caught by Ken Whitesides. We’ve heard of 7pound fish being caught and even bigger ones that have gotten away. The Catawba Angler was one of the first bass fishing guides in North Carolina to guide on Lake James. The Catawba River and Linville River that flows into Lake James offers good wade fishing for smallmouth bass. The bigger smallmouth that call the lake home will run up the two rivers certain times of the year so it’s not uncommon to catch 3 to 4 pound fish in the rivers. A good float is putting in at the bridge at US Business 221 and going down to Burnette’s Landing. This stretch has long, deep holes that hold good populations of bass in the summertime moving upstream from the lake looking for those cooler river temperatures.
Another prominent river that flows through the Piedmont region is the Yadkin. The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina and is home to 4 lakes which include W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, High Rock Lake, Badin Lake, and Lake Tillery. Badin Lake is the clearest lake in the Yadkin Chain and runs within the Uwharrie National Forest which offers some unique scenery for a Piedmont Lake. The lake is home to some big largemouth bass and is also known as a put and take striper lake where the state stocks 25,000 fingerling every year. The lake has a good population of smaller striped bass, but it’s not uncommon to catch 20 pound fish. The Yadkin River boasts a small population of smallmouth bass and a variety of other species. Those looking to fish the Yadkin for smallmouth bass should check out Burch Station and Yadkin Shore public fishing areas.
Falls Lake also known as “Falls of the Neuse” & Jordan Reservoir are on the border of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain region and are some of the best largemouth lakes in North Carolina. North Carolina’s fisheries biologist will say Jordan Reservoir is the best lake in the state. Fish over 10 pounds have been caught in Jordan Reservoir. Another notable bass fishing lake in close proximity to Falls and Jordan is Shearon Harris Lake. Shearon Harris Lake is considered North Carolina’s best lake to catch trophy bass.
Lake Mattamuskeet is the most well known lake in North Carolina since it’s the largest natural lake in the state. The lake is a shallow coastal lake which is home to largemouth bass. The lake is home to many different fish species but the largemouth bass is most sought after. Another notable bass fishing lake in the coastal plain region is Lake Waccamaw. Similar to Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Waccamaw is shallow. In the spring these lakes warm up faster than the deep man made lakes in the piedmont and mountain region so the prespawn bite on these lakes occur here before any other lake in the state.
The French Broad River is hands down the best smallmouth river in North Carolina. The river has the quantity and the quality every bass fisherman is looking for. The river has an abundant supply of baitfish and crayfish that is needed to grow trophy river smallmouth. The French Broad River consistently produces 4 pound smallmouth year after year on our guided bass fishing trips. The river is not suitable to wade so it’s important to hire a guide to float you down the river to the best fishing spots. The smallmouth fishing is best from the airport in Asheville to the East Tennessee line. The Catawba Angler provides guided bass fishing trips on the French Broad River starting in March and wrapping up the season in the middle of November.
Another river worth mentioning when talking about bass fishing in North Carolina is the Nolichucky River. The fishing is fantastic and the scenery is second to none. This river consistently produces trophy smallmouth year after year. The biggest smallmouth we’ve ever guided a client into has come from the Nolichucky. If you are a bass fishing Angler then the Nolichucky should be on your bucket list. The fluke bite on the Nolichucky during the last days or spring and early summer can be unbelievable.
The last river that is worthy of mentioning in the bass fishing guide in North Carolina is the Pigeon River. The Pigeon River is a trophy smallmouth river. The river is half the size of the French Broad River, but has a thick population of bass in it. The best fishing is below Waterville dam and into East Tennessee. This section is a tailwater that provides cold water year round that creates the perfect habitat for aquatic life. After a few years of scouting and many trips down the river we have started guiding the Pigeon River for smallmouth bass.
The Catawba Angler offers half day and full day bass charters on the lakes and rivers of western North Carolina. It’s our goal to provide the best bass fishing guide experience in North Carolina. If you are interested in hearing more about our bass fishing trips then please give us a call. We would love to talk to you about the best times of the year to fish or answer any question you may have about fishing. Thanks for taking the time to read our post. We look forward to fishing with you.
