Fishing
CASTING A LINE IN JACKSON COUNTY
Jackson County is home of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, which maps out 15 prime spots to catch brown, rainbow and brook trout in the crystal-clear streams of the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re looking for wide-open rivers or secluded mountain streams, the Fly Fishing Trail has you covered.
The heart of the trail, the Tuckasegee River, is the county’s largest body of water, flowing some 50 miles. The “Tuck” as it’s called by locals, is also one of the most accessible rivers you’ll find anywhere.
With 92,800 fish stocked in its waters annually, it’s no wonder Jackson County is recognized as the North Carolina Trout Capital.
In addition to the streams and The Tuck, Jackson County also has several lakes that are great for catching largemouth bass.
-
Regulations for Mountain Trout (PDF)
Mountain trout regulations include Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, Wild Trout Waters and Special Regulated Trout Waters such as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters (PDF).
-
WNC Fly Fishing Trail stops in Jackson County, NC
Jackson County has 15 stops on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, from wild brook trout headwaters near the Blue Ridge Parkway to delayed harvest water on the Tuckasegee River. Each stop below lists the stretch, where to park, the water designation, and what you're likely to catch.
Scott Creek
- The stretch
- Roughly 10 miles from headwaters near Balsam down to Sylva
- Access points
- Parking and access available via several pull-off areas along U.S. 19/23
- Type of water
- Hatchery supported
- Available fish
- Brown and rainbow trout
- Numbers or size
- Numbers
- Noteworthy
- Stretch also includes North Fork Scott Creek and Buff Creek, which are very scenic
Small Streams: Moses Creek, Mull Creek, Rough Butt Creek, Chastine Creek and Piney Mountain Creek
- The stretch
- Collection of small streams in eastern Jackson County, below the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Access points
- Via Moses Creek Road (SR 1740) and Caney Fork Road (SR 1737). Avoid posted land.
- Type of water
- Wild trout
- Available fish
- Brook and rainbow trout
- Numbers or size
- Numbers
- Noteworthy
- Mountainous terrain, includes several large waterfalls
Cullowhee Creek
- The stretch
- From Tilley Creek to the confluence with the Tuckasegee River
- Access points
- Access via the Jackson County Recreation Center (Cullowhee) and Western Carolina University. Park at the picnic area at WCU.
- Type of water
- Hatchery supported
- Available fish
- Rainbow, brown and occasional brook trout
- Numbers or size
- Numbers
- Noteworthy
- WCU is one of a handful of colleges in the country with a trout stream running through campus
Tanasee Creek
- The stretch
- Roughly 2 to 3 miles from the Tanasee Creek bridge up to the headwaters
- Access points
- Parking and access available at the bridge on Tanasee Creek Road (SR 1762)
- Type of water
- Wild trout
- Available fish
- Brown trout
- Numbers or size
- Both
- Noteworthy
- Very scenic stretch in the Nantahala National Forest
Panthertown Creek
- The stretch
- Entire stream, roughly 3 miles
- Access points
- Parking and access at the end of Breedlove Road (SR 1121), with a 2-mile walk to the creek
- Type of water
- Catch and release, single hook artificial lure
- Available fish
- Brook trout
- Numbers or size
- Numbers
- Noteworthy
- Located in Panthertown Valley, known as the "Yosemite of the East" because of its bowl shape and rocky bluffs
Raven Fork (Cherokee Trophy Water)
- The stretch
- Starts at the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge and runs north for 2.2 miles
- Access points
- Parking and access via several pull-off areas along Big Cove Road. Foot paths run along the stream.
- Type of water
- Catch and release, fly fishing only
- Available fish
- Golden, rainbow, brown, brook and Donaldson trout
- Numbers or size
- Both
- Noteworthy
- This stretch is also called Cherokee Trophy Water, and fish of 20 to 30 inches are common. A Cherokee annual permit and daily permit are required.
Whitewater River
- The stretch
- Roughly 2 to 3 miles from N.C. 107 down to the South Carolina state line
- Access points
- Parking and access along N.C. 107, a few miles south of Cashiers
- Type of water
- Wild trout
- Available fish
- Brook, brown and rainbow trout
- Numbers or size
- Numbers
- Noteworthy
- Flows into Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi
Scotsman Creek and Fowler Creek into the Chattooga River
- The stretch
- Roughly 2 to 3 miles of each stream flowing down into the Chattooga River
- Access points
- Access available via Whiteside Cove Road (SR 1107) or Bullpen Road (SR 1100) in the Nantahala National Forest
- Type of water
- Wild trout with natural bait
- Available fish
- Brown and rainbow trout
- Numbers or size
- Numbers (creeks), size (Chattooga)
- Noteworthy
- The movie "Deliverance" was filmed on the Chattooga River
Tuckasegee River (Accessible Fishing Pier)
- The stretch
- A wide river downstream from the former dam
- Access points
- Parking and access available via numerous pull-offs. Take the first right off North River Road coming from Dillsboro.
- Type of water
- Delayed harvest
- Available fish
- Brook, brown and rainbow trout
- Numbers or size
- Both
- Noteworthy
- This pier accommodates wheelchairs and has nearby handicap parking
Tuckasegee River (East Laporte Park to N.C. 107 Bridge)
- The stretch
- Roughly 2 to 3 miles from the park to the bridge
- Access points
- Parking and access available at East Laporte Park and pull-off areas along Old Cullowhee Road
- Type of water
- Hatchery supported
- Available fish
- Rainbow, brook and brown trout
- Numbers or size
- Numbers
- Noteworthy
- East Laporte Park has picnic tables and public restrooms
Savannah Creek
- The stretch
- About 10 miles from headwaters in Pumpkintown into the Tuckasegee River
- Access points
- Parking and access available via several pull-offs along U.S. 23/441
- Type of water
- Hatchery supported
- Available fish
- Rainbow and brown trout
- Numbers or size
- Numbers
- Noteworthy
- Access is limited the closer you get to the Tuckasegee River
Tuckasegee River (N.C. 107 Bridge to Dillsboro Park)
- The stretch
- Roughly 4 to 5 miles from the bridge to the park
- Access points
- Parking and access available via numerous pull-offs along North River Road
- Type of water
- Delayed harvest
- Available fish
- Brook, brown and rainbow trout
- Numbers or size
- Both
- Noteworthy
- Best place to achieve the Tuckasegee Slam (catch all 3 species in one spot)
Greens Creek
- The stretch
- About 3 to 4 miles from the Macon County line to Savannah Creek
- Access points
- Various places along Greens Creek Road (SR 1370). Avoid posted land.
- Type of water
- Wild trout, undesignated, hatchery supported
- Available fish
- Rainbow and some brown trout
- Numbers or size
- Numbers
- Noteworthy
- A portion of the creek flows through the Nantahala National Forest
Tuckasegee River (in Dillsboro)
- The stretch
- About 1 mile from Dillsboro Park through town
- Access points
- Various places between the park and the Best Western River Escape Inn
- Type of water
- Hatchery supported
- Available fish
- Rainbow and brown trout
- Numbers or size
- Size
- Noteworthy
- Includes 2 lodging options, the Best Western River Escape Inn and the Dillsboro Inn
Lower Tuckasegee River (Barker's Creek Bridge to Whittier)
- The stretch
- Roughly 8 to 10 miles from the bridge to Whittier
- Access points
- Parking and access via pull-offs and businesses along the U.S. 19 freeway
- Type of water
- Hatchery supported, undesignated
- Available fish
- Rainbow and brown trout
- Numbers or size
- Size
- Noteworthy
- The stretch is also home to smallmouth bass
-
View/download the WNC Fly Fishing Trail map. Request a free printed copy here.
Request a free printed copy here.
View/download a mileage chart of the river.
View/download a map of the Tuckasegee river access points by Duke Energy.
View an interactive map of all river access points in Jackson County.
View the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission map of fishing areas
Hatchery Supported Locations:
- Balsam Lake
- Bear Creek Lake
- Buff Creek– SR1457 Bridge to Scott Creek
- Cullowhee Creek-Tilley creek to Tuckasegee River
- Green’s Creek– Green’s Creek Baptist Church on SR1370 to Savannah Creek
- Savannah Creek– Headwaters to Bradley’s Packing House on NC 116
- Scott Creek, Dark Ridge Creek – Jones to Scott Creek
- Tuckasegee River – From confluence with West Fork Tuckasegee to NC 107 bridge at Love Field & former Dillsboro Dam to SR 1392 bridge at Wilmot
- Tanasee Creek Lake
- West Fork Tuckasegee River
- Wolf Creek Lake
Delayed Harvest:
- Tuckasegee River (NC 107 bridge at Love Field to NC 116 bridge at Webster)
Wild Trout:
- Chattooga River
- Gage Creek
- Needle Creek
- North Fork Scott Creek
- Sols Creek
- Tanasee Creek
- Whitewater River-Down from Silver Run creek to S.C. line
- Wolf Creek – Except Balsam Lake
Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only:
- Flat CreekCourtesy FlyFishingNC.com
-
Mountain Heritage Trout Waters – Jackson County has the state’s longest contiguous stretch of Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Through the Mountain Heritage Trout Waters program, fishermen can receive a $5, three-day fishing permit for select stretches of water in Sylva, Dillsboro and Webster.
-
Jackson County houses several breathtaking scenic mountain lakes that, thanks to the area’s large trout population, is home to some of the largest small and largemouth bass in the state, and some would even argue the country. The lakes of Jackson County offer boating, kayaking and canoeing opportunities and delight with opportunities to view pristine scenery while casting a line. With a plethora of bass, yellow perch, musky, walleye, brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout, there are plenty of chances to reel in the catch of the day, or even catch of the week, in Jackson County, NC. Local guides, such as Dream Catcher Guides, are available to show you exactly where the fish are biting, and provide gear for rent.
Lake Glenville is the largest lake in the county, and one of the highest-elevation lakes east of the Rocky Mountains. It features an expansive 26 miles of shoreline, seven islands and plenty of waterfalls to discover. Here, fishermen will find endless supplies of trophy-sized large and smallmouth bass, trout and perch. Signal Ridge Marina rents pontoon boats and Lakeshore Marina rents boats and fishing gear. Bear Creek Lake has the reputation of being one of the cleanest lakes in Western NC. Bear Lake is regularly stocked with fish by the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, making it a very popular stop for anglers. The crystal-clear waters are loaded with monster bass, trout and brim. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cedar Cliff Lake is the lowest in elevation and is surrounded by large rock walls. Although not stocked by North Carolina’s Wildlife Resources Commission, this secluded lake possesses one of the most impressive walleye and rainbow trout populations, thanks to the lake’s proximity to the Tuckasegee River. The scenic and peaceful Wolf Creek Lake is a 183-acre, high-elevation lake that contains plentiful brook, brown and rainbow trout, giant bass and walleye.
-
Views from our visitors
-
Flyfishing by Ben Aijian
Anglers & Appetites, Season 3, Episode 305
Anglers & Appetites, Season 3, Episode 304
Anglers & Appetites, Season 2
Anglers & Appetites, Season 1
-
Everyone using the WNC Fly Fishing Trail is asked to make the following pledge:
“As a true sportsman, I pledge to never litter and to avoid trespassing on private lands. I will respect the rights of property owners, and always leave the streams in better condition than I found them.”
-
As part of the our ongoing commitment to the environment and residents who live along fishing corridors, we ask that you only use designated Public Restrooms while fishing in order to avoid impacts on our stream’s water quality and the private property of those who live near the streams.
A full list of several public restrooms located near fishing waters is located here with a convenient map.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors, experience Appalachian arts and culture, or simply relax in a secluded cabin, Jackson County has it all.