Maps displaying publicly accessible trout fishing opportunities in western North Carolina.
Use the Public Mountain Trout Waters Search to locate a great new place to fish for trout in the mountains of North Carolina or learn more about the rules and regulations of trout fishing. This search can help you locate Public Mountain Trout Waters and show you which regulatory classifications apply. You can open a map and zoom to the selected water once you have made a list of locations or save your list as a PDF document to read when you are on the go.
This section provides information from the North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest regarding fishing in Public Mountain Trout Waters.
Motorists can help support the conservation and management of Brook Trout by purchasing a new conservation license plate that depicts North Carolina’s only native trout.
For more information on Gill Lice, Whirling Disease, Didymo and other aquatic nuisance species, view the Aquatic Nuisance Species webpage.
A guiding document for trout management in North Carolina.
A study on the economic impacts of trout fishing opportunities provided and managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
Trout fishing partnership opportunities for communities in western North Carolina with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
This section provides information on the Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program, including locations and license information.
Information for anglers and landowners regarding Public Mountain Trout Waters on private lands.
Learn more about aquatic nuisance species and how to prevent their spread through basic gear care procedures.
To assist anglers and boaters, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has compiled a list of websites that provide information on current stream flow conditions and projected release schedules from hydro power stations.
Information regarding the biological and economic benefits of aquatic organism passage.
Learn more about proper trout handling techniques.
Developed in partnership with the North Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited, this hatch chart provides information to help trout anglers match aquatic insect hatches in western North Carolina.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is an active member of the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV), which is a partnership that works to conserve Brook Trout across the species’ native range. This document outlines the EBTJV’s conservation strategies. Visit the EBTJV’s homepage (link) to learn more about the EBTJV.
Three trout species call North Carolina’s mountain waters home. Click on the fish icons below to find out more about each species.
Brook Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout