Best fishing lakes in North Carolina: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Lake Norman

Lake Norman spreads over some 32,500 acres. The fish here are spotted bass, striped bass, catfish and crappie. At about 112 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Lake Norman today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Gaston

At 20,000 acres, Lake Gaston is a big lake. Largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish are the draw. It goes down to about 95 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Lake Gaston today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. High Rock Lake

At 15,200 acres of water, High Rock Lake is a big lake. You will find it within an easy drive of Concord (about 18 miles). High Rock Dam holds it on the Yadkin River. The fish here are catfish, crappie, bluegill and striped bass. At about 59 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Has hosted the Bassmaster Classic tournament multiple times.

High Rock Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Chatuge Lake

Chatuge Lake is a reservoir of 7,000 acres. You will find it next to Hiawassee. It is the Hiwassee River behind Chatuge Dam. Trout, catfish, crappie and walleye are the draw. It goes down to about 144 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Straddles the North Carolina-Georgia border at Georgia's highest major-lake elevation.

Chatuge Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Badin Lake

At 5,350 acres of water, Badin Lake is a good-sized lake. It lies about 23 miles west of Concord. Narrows Dam holds it on the Yadkin River. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and spotted bass are the draw. At about 190 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Built to power an Alcoa aluminum smelting plant; a sunken WWII Navy bomber still rests on the lake bottom.

Badin Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Mattamuskeet

Lake Mattamuskeet covers about 39,200 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Greenville (about 60 miles). Expect largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish and crappie. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start. North Carolina's largest natural lake, a shallow haven for wintering tundra swans and snow geese.

Lake Mattamuskeet today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Phelps

Lake Phelps spreads over about 15,600 acres. It lies about 48 miles west of Greenville. The fish here are largemouth bass, catfish and yellow perch. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start. One of the oldest natural lakes in the eastern US, with ancient dugout canoes preserved in its very clean sediment. It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

Lake Phelps today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Hiwassee Lake

At some 5,950 acres, Hiwassee Lake is a good-sized lake. You will find it next to Murphy. It is the Hiwassee River behind Hiwassee Dam. Smallmouth bass and striped bass are the draw. It goes down to about 250 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. A deep TVA reservoir in the Nantahala Mountains once used by the US Navy to test torpedoes.

Hiwassee Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Jordan Lake

Jordan Lake is a reservoir of some 13,900 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Chapel Hill (about 6 miles). The usual North Carolina mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 38 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. A flood-control and water-supply reservoir on the Haw and New Hope rivers near Raleigh.

Jordan Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Nantahala Lake

Nantahala Lake spreads over about 1,220 acres. You will find it near Andrews. Nantahala Dam holds it on the Nantahala River. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout and catfish are the draw. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Known for exceptionally clear water and a popular trout and bass fishery in the Nantahala National Forest. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

Nantahala Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Lake Waccamaw

Lake Waccamaw spreads over some 8,940 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Wilmington (about 30 miles). Expect largemouth bass and bluegill. The deepest water is around 11 ft. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. A Carolina bay lake with unusually clear, high-alkalinity water and several fish species found nowhere else on Earth. It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

Lake Waccamaw today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Falls Lake

Falls Lake spreads over some 12,400 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Durham (about 7 miles). The usual North Carolina mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. An Army Corps reservoir that supplies drinking water to Raleigh and provides flood control.

Falls Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

North Carolina lakes by fish

A lake appears under a fish when it holds it, by the record or by the type of lake.

• Bass: Lake Norman, Lake Gaston, High Rock Lake and Badin Lake
• Walleye: Chatuge Lake
• Trout: Chatuge Lake and Nantahala Lake
• Crappie: Lake Norman, Lake Gaston, High Rock Lake and Chatuge Lake
• Catfish: Lake Norman, Lake Gaston, High Rock Lake and Chatuge Lake

The fishing year

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually at their best. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

Before you go

Buy a North Carolina fishing licence before the trip and read the state's rules for each lake: seasons, size and bag limits change from water to water. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.