Freshwater Fishing Archives - Page 230 of 290

May 10, 2026

This Pamlico River striper is typical of the ‘resident’ fish that stay in the river and Pamlico Sound almost year-round.

The ‘lines’ of winter

Most North Carolina anglers know about the striped bass migration in the Roanoke River. The “rockfish run” draws thousands of fishermen each March, April and May. […]

Striped bass regulations along the North Carolina coast change area and by which state agency manages that water — the N.C. Wildilfe Resources Commission or N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.

Coastal striped bass rules vary depending on location

Craig Holt

Inland coastal striped bass fishing occurs mostly in rivers and streams in north-central and northeastern counties, plus the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds, but rockfish are found in varying abundances in most coastal streams from Virginia to South Carolina. […]

Striped bass populations in North Carolina’s coastal rivers and sounds have had their ups and downs for hundreds of years.

Tarheel State striped bass have suffered boom/bust cycles

Craig Holt

Nobody in North Carolina is old enough to remember the glory days of coastal striped- bass fishing in this state. […]

December on this big reservoir offers a shot at a number of different species.

Lake of the Month: Lake Hartwell

Phillip Gentry

Several years ago, Bill Plumley of Greer, had a decision to make. He planned to retire and start a fishing guide service, and the question was, “ Where?” […]

Big blue catfish aren’t bothered by cold weather, in fact, they become more active and feed heavily during the winter when they get around baitfish.

Monticello’s cool customers

Bennett Kirkpatrick

It was still dark when Ed Robinson and guide Chris Simpson met for a catfishing trip to Lake Monticello. […]

A good depthfinder can give a fisherman the ability to determine the depths at which both baitfish and catfish may be holding.

Drift or anchor?

Dan Kibler

Drifting is a great way to catch Lake Monticello’s big blue catfish through most of the fall, according to guide Chris Simpson, but as the weather starts to really cool off, he catches more fish anchored up. […]

When landing catfish, it helps to have a king-sized landing net in the boat.

Catfishing tips

Bennett Kirkpatrick

Guide Chris Simpson has some tips for Lake Monticello catfish anglers; some basic and some gleaned from years of catching big blue catfish. […]

Warm water from a power-plant discharge will fool gamefish like this bass into thinking it’s really springtime instead of early winter.

Hot Hole Fishing

Dan Kibler

North Carolina usually doesn’t get its coldest winter weather until about the third week of January, but some years – 2010 and 2011 being fine examples — the freeze arrives in time for the Christmas holidays. […]

Guide Andy Fox targets and catches schooling bass in warm-water discharge areas on jerkbaits.

Go to ‘school’ in the hot hole

Dan Kibler

Some canals or creeks that carry warm-water discharge away from power plants have restricted access to boats. The mouth of the warm-water discharge canal at Belews Lake, for example, is barricaded to keep boats out. […]

Striper fisherman Jerry Hill of Lexington said the bite at High Rock has really taken off around creek mouths.

Cold weather kicks off striper bite at High Rock

Craig Holt

Striped bass fishing has been sporadic at High Rock this fall, much like the naughty little girl — when she’s bad, she’s been very, very bad but when she’s good, she’s been very, very good. […]