Fishing in the High Country

You can experience the warmer months in the High Country by wading knee deep in a cool mountain stream while pursuing trout and small-mouth bass. Beautiful crystal clear mountain lakes are also available for those preferring still water. Regardless of your fishing interest or skill level, our area offers an abundance of different fishing opportunities. Fishing licenses are required for anyone who is 16 years of age or older. An additional trout stamp is required on designated trout waters. Temporary, 1-year and lifetime licenses are available. Most fishing shops and department stores that carry fishing gear also sell fishing licenses. Fred’s General Mercantile on Beech Mountain (828-387-4838) as well as Brinkley’s Hardware in Elk Park (828-733-2107) sell fishing licenses. You can also call the NCWRC at 919-662-4381 or go online at www.ncwildlife.org to receive regulations, season dates, maps and order licenses. Below are just a few out of many fishing and swimming places that we have to offer in our area:

Banner Elk

Lees-McRae’s Historic “Mill Pond”:
This duck and fishing pond is located off Highway 184 (Tynecastle Highway) on Hickory Nut Gap Road in Banner Elk. Take an immediate right turn into the park area. Bring the family and feed the ducks, picnic, fish in the pond or just enjoy the waterfall that is just a short walk back from the main road. It’s so picturesque and close to all the Banner Elk great restaurants and unique shopping.

Wildcat Lake:
One of the best things of which Banner Elk can boast is a beach on the 13-acre Wildcat Lake, located on Hickory Nut Gap Road approximately 1 mile from Highway 184. Upgraded picnic facilities, including two shelters, play areas and a bath house all are available. There is no charge to use any of the facilities, although state fishing licenses are required, and reservations for use of the picnic shelters are necessary. Lifeguards are on duty during summer hours. The beautiful shores of Wildcat Lake have long been a magnet for summer swimmers, enjoying the cold waters and the adjacent park for picnics, reunions, even weddings. For 50 years, a Presbyterian church-related camp has offered its young campers priceless memories set in and near this picturesque lake. For more details, click on the link on the right side of the page. Also, for more information, call 828-898-5465.

Beech Mountain, NC

Beech Mountain Club:
If you are staying at one of our homes on Beech Mountain that have Beech Mountain Club privileges, the Beech Mountain Club has a heated outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool with lap lanes, zero entry, and play features. It averages 82 degrees and is open daily from May 24th through Labor Day. For more details, click on the link on the right side of the page. Also, for more information, call 828-387-4208 (Ext. 3).

Buckeye Lake and Lake Coffey:
These two lakes on Beech Mountain are wonderful fishing lakes. You can get more information, including directions, from the Beech Mountain Town Hall (828-387-4236) or the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce (828-387-9283). Buckeye Lake, a seven-acre lake located at the base of the town, offers a combination of outdoor activities, including fishing and bird watching. Buckeye Lake is also a starting destination for several of the hiking and biking trails the town has to offer.

Fishing season begins the first Saturday in April, and in the month of June a popular event for kids and family is the Kiddo Fishing Derby, a free event for children ages four to 12. The competition awards trophies in the categories of the first trout, largest trout, heaviest trout and the first to catch the limit of four trout. Vendors are also on site selling hot dogs and soft drinks or picnic tables are available for families that want to bring their own food and snacks. For more details on these lakes, click on the link on the right side of the page.

Other Areas

Grandfather Trout Farm:
You only pay for what you catch, and there’s no license needed. Their trout pond is stocked to the brim, so you’re sure to catch one. Clean them yourself, or they can do it for you. Bring a cooler to pack your catch on ice, and you will be ready for a fresh mountain trout dinner. There is also gem mining and a miniature putting course. There is something for the entire family. They are located on Highway 105 in Foscoe past the town of Seven Devils. For more information, call 828-963-5098.

Linville Gorge Wilderness Area:
The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area is located in the Western North Carolina Mountains southeast of Boone. A part of the Pisgah National Forest, Linville Gorge is renowned for its 10,975 acres of rugged terrain, steep trails, dense forests and impressive rock cliffs. Formed by the Linville River with Jonas Ridge on the east and Linville Mountain on the west, Linville Gorge averages a 1,400 foot drop from rim to river. The distinctive rock formations located on Jonas Ridge include Sitting Bear, Hawksbill, Table Rock, and the Chimneys entice rock climbers from around the world. Elevations range from 1,300 feet on the Linville River to 4,120 feet on Gingercake Mountain. Hunting and fishing in the gorge require permits. For more details, click on the link on the right side of the page.

Blue Ridge Parkway:
Off the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will find several places where you can fish: Moses H. Cone Memorial Park (Milepost 292.7) covers 3,600 acres. You will find many miles of horse and carriage trails, hiking and fishing; Julian Price Memorial Park (Milepost 295) covers 4,344 acres. You will find a campground, picnic area, lake, boating, fishing and hiking trails here. Also, off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, there are several small lakes that have a variety of fish. Price Lake allows non-motorized boat traffic while Sims Pond, Bass Lake and Trout Lake allow bank fishing only. An NC or VA license without a trout stamp is valid for these bodies of water. For more information, call the Blue Ridge Parkway at 828-271-4779.

Roan Mountain State Park:
The park has several picnic shelters, a swimming pool, tennis courts, children’s play areas, and wonderful hiking trails. On weekends during the summer, the public can enjoy a variety of entertainment events in the park amphitheater. For more details, click on the link on the right side of the page. Also, for more information, call the Roan Mountain State Park toll-free at 800-250-8620.

Small-mouth bass fishing is popular on the New, Toe and Nolichucky rivers. Although wade fishing is possible, these large rivers are better for canoe or raft fishing. A regular state fishing license is all that is required to fish these rivers.

The Watauga and S. Holston rivers are large enough to handle canoes and drift boats. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Commission handles the regulations on these waters and a TN license is required. It is best to go with someone who knows the dam release schedule if you decide to venture to the Watauga or S. Holston rivers. Both rivers become dangerous to wade fisherman when the T.V.A. daily releases water to produce electricity. For more information, call 1-800-332-0900.

Watauga Lake in Hampton, TN:
Only an hour away from Banner Elk, Watauga Lake is 16.3 miles long and covers 6,430 acres (10.05 square miles). It boasts 104.9 miles of shoreline. Just 47 miles of shoreline are privately owned. The other 58 acres of shoreline are public land. Most of those 58 acres are part of the Cherokee National Forest and can never be developed, making Watauga Lake the TVA’s most beautiful and pristine mountain-surrounded lake.

There is so much to do on this breathtaking lake. Canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, wakeboarding, water & jet skiing, power boating, swimming, and fishing. Watauga Lake can be accessed at several public and private boat ramps and marinas for a nominal fee ($5 or less). On the southern shore of the western arm of Watauga Lake, there are several National Recreational Areas where you can swim, picnic, camp and just relax. If you enjoy fishing, the lake stocks black and white crappie, bluegill, brown, lake and rainbow trout, large-mouth, small-mouth and spotted bass and walleye. A TN State Fishing License is required.

Also in the High Country, as you are traveling the main and back roads that run beside creeks, streams and rivers (and you see cars parked in a turn-out beside the road), pull over and check it out. You will more than likely find people basking in the sun on rocks, picnicking and swimming in the cool, clear refreshing water. Some spots may be perfect for fishing as well. These special places are everywhere in the High Country.

Valle Crucis Community Park:
Behind the Mast General Store Annex in Valle Crucis, this beautiful park offers picnic tables, two picnic pavilions, a paved walking trail along the Watauga River, a fish pond, children’s playground and space for sports activities. For more information or to reserve a picnic shelter, call 828-963-9239. And, for more details, click on the link on the right side of the page.

High Country Fishing Outfitters

Appalachian Angler
174 Old Shull’s Mill Road, Boone, NC
828-963-5050
Email: info@appalachianangler.com

“Out of respect for our native populations, they practice catch and release’ fishing on all waters and species. They also fish single barbless’ hooks. This has been their practice since they started. They feel that catch and release fishing is imperative to protect our fisheries. They strongly support Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers.”

Elk Creek Outfitters
1530 Highway 105, Boone, NC
828-264-6497
Email: info@ecoflyfishing.com

They offer trips for various species and accommodate both fly-fishermen and spin-fishermen; however, several sections of river they fly-fish exclusively. All fishing is “catch and release” with barbless hooks.

Foscoe Fishing Co. and Outfitters
8857 Highway 105 South, Boone, NC
828-963-6556
Email: info@ncorvisguide.com

Foscoe Fishing Company & Outfitters is the only Orvis Endorsed Fly-Fishing Guide Service in North Carolina’s High Country. They operate a shop in Banner Elk and offer high quality fly-fishing on the Watauga, Boone’s Fork, Wilson Creek and many other pristine mountain streams that are located near our shop. They also offer float and walk guides on portions of the waters of Tennessee. All of these waters offer excellent opportunities for catching Brown, Brook, and Rainbow trout.

River Girl Fishing Co.
4041 Railroad Grade Road, Todd, NC
828-877-3099
Email: rivergirl24@skybest.com

Also, on the first Sunday of each month, they offer free kayak and bike rentals for the folks to help pick up trash along the river and roadways of the South Fork of the New River and Railroad Grade Road in Todd. First come, first serve. Starts at 1 PM and BBO afterwards.

For a list of regulations and types of fishing waters, visit www.ncwildlife.org.