Fishing

WORLD CLASS FISHING IN THE FRONT YARD....

The Nantahala River is known the world over for its great white water action, and is a place that truly exemplifies a great trout river.  The Nantahala is listed as one of the nation's top 100 trout streams by Trout Unlimited and has been featured in numerous magazines.  The Nantahala River is the most diverse fishery in all of the state and is one of the finest rivers in the Southeastern United States.    The Nantahala has something for everyone.

The Nantahala River Lodge sits on the bank of the Nantahala River, but is also centrally located between many of the best trout streams in the state.  In addition to the great trout streams, several wonderful lakes and rivers are nearby.  If you would like a guide service or decide to explore other fishing areas here are a few of our favorites.

GUIDE SERVICES & OUTFITTERS

J.E.B. HALL

Contact:     J.E.B. Hall
Website:    www.thewncflyguide.com or www.noc.com
Phone:       828-508-3651
Email:        doublehall@gmail.com

• Guided Raft trips
• Guided Wade trips
• Guided Kayak trips
• Fly Fishing or Spin Fishing
• Fly Shop and Rod Rentals

153 CHARTERS

Contact:  Captain James McManus
Phone:    (828) 421-8125
Website:  www.153charters.com

153 Charters is captained by James McManus, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed charter boat captain.  Captain McManus focuses on the area lakes, but will combine trips to incude some fly-only stream trips into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  He can accommodate up to three people.  Methods are dependent on the species and time of year, but can include casting artificials, bait fishing, trolling, fly-fishing and night fishing.  Book a trip and let Captain McManus share what is one of the most diverse fishing experiences that can be had anywhere in the country.

ENDLESS RIVER ADVENTURES

Contact:     Ken Kastorff
Website:    www.endlessriveradventures.com
Phone:      (800) 224-7238

• Guided Drift Boat trips
• Guided Oar Raft trips
• Stream side or Wet Wading with guide
• Fly Fishing Instruction
• Outfitters store

APPALACHIAN OUTFITTERS

Contact:  Ron and Kathryn Jenkins
Website: click here
Phone:    (828) 337-4165

• Fly tying classes
  
• Local Orvis Dealer
• Everything Inside for the Outside
• Located in Murphy on Tennessee Street
  

TROUT STREAMS

THE NANTAHALA RIVER

A first-class trout stream, offering a mix of wild trout waters in its upper reaches, delayed-harvest fishing in its mid-section, and a mix of healthy stream-raised and stocked trout in its lower portion.  Because of the white water activities during the day, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission allows night fishing downstream from the power house.

SLICK ROCK CREEK

Slick Rock offers the best opportunity in the state to catch a really big wild brown trout and offers native trout fishing in the headwaters.

SNOW BIRD CREEK

Snowbird provides trout fishing opportunities with stocked trout (Rainbow, Brown and Brook) in the lower section and Native Brook trout fishing in the upper section. More Info

HAZEL CREEK

Remote, beautiful, accessible only by boat or foot, a stream that truly lives up to its legend.  Hazel Creek is the most popular stream on the park side of Fontana Lake.    More Info

CHEROKEE INDIAN RESERVATION

The 30 miles of streams on the Cherokee Indian Reservation provide both food and fun for serious and amateur anglers.  Regular stocking of the streams each year adds nearly 400,000 trout to an existing population of fish swimming in the crystal clear mountain waters.  A new Cherokee Trophy Trout catch-and-release section has been added with great results. A tribal permit is required to fish on the Reservation.   More Info

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

The Park has about 2,115 miles of streams within its boundaries and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the Eastern United States.  The Park offers a wide variety of angling experiences from remote, headwater trout streams to large, coolwater smallmouth bass streams.   More Info   Even More Info

AREA LAKES

NANTAHALA LAKE AND QUEENS LAKE

Just a few miles up the road from the Lodge!  They both offer a public boat access area maintained by the NCWRC.  Fish in the lakes include walleye, crappie, sunfish, trout and bass.  There is also a public picnic area by both lakes.  Pontoon boat rentals area available.

LAKE SANTEETLAH

Features over 76 miles of mostly natural shoreline and has a wide variety of fish.  The most popular being bass, largemouth bass and walleye.  There is also a good population of crappie, bream and lake trout.  Boats can be rented at several locations on the lake, but paddling a canoe into the prongs is our recommendation.  Cheoah Point Recreation Area has picnic tables, a protected swim area and restrooms.   More Info

LAKE FONTANA

A popular place for fishing, boating and swimming.  Boat docks and launching ramps are located at various sites on the lake.  It boasts one of the most diverse fish populations anywhere in the country.  With depths of over 400 feet, many northern fish such as walleye, muskie, and smallmouth bass are among favorites of local fishermen.    More Info

CALDERWOOD LAKE

Clear, deep and very river like in character.  Current pushes through the whole lake when power is being generated through Cheoah Dam.  Trout fishing is best when the water is running.  Trout are plentiful on Calderwood, and they tend to grow large.  Rainbows are the main species, but recent NCWRC stockings also have included brook trout and brown trout.

FISHING REGULATIONS FOR NANTAHALA RIVER LODGE

The Nantahala River Lodge is located on Delayed Harvest Waters.  These are stocked trout waters open to fishing year-round, but trout caught between October 1 and the first Saturday in June must be immediately released.    Single hook, artificial lures or flies are required during the October-June period.  Beginning the first Saturday in June, harvest of trout from these waters is allowed, and anglers can use natural bait.  "Hatchery Supported" trout regulations apply during this time.  Beginning October 1, these waters revert back to "Delayed Harvest" trout regulations.  We encourage catch and release year round.

Note:  The River Lodge has a circular drive to provide easy access and plenty of room to maneuver your boat and trailer.

VIEW NC FISHING REGULATIONS  CLICK HERE

GET YOUR NORTH CAROLINA FISHING LICENSE ONLINE  CLICK HERE

A SMOKY MOUNTAIN FISHING STORY   READ HERE    Tom Randles recounts an experience on the Nantahala River, and describes why, if he were forced to choose only one of the many streams and rivers he has had the good fortune to fish, he would choose, the "Land of the Noon-day Sun."

"A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure."
-Oliver Wendell