The 5 Best Fishing Spots In and Around Asheville
Asheville has long been a hub for all outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing is certainly no exception. So what’s so special about fishing in WNC? Well, for starters, North Carolina has more native populations of Brook Trout than any other state in the southeast. And trout fishing in particular is a huge economic boom to the state – in 2022 alone it brought in $1.38 billion according to the NC Wildlife Resource Commission.
Want to get in on the fun? We’ll share all of the best places to go fishing in and around Asheville – read on!
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The Best Places to Go Fishing Around Asheville
Before we list our favorite spots, we have to cover a few guidelines. Make sure you have a valid fishing license before hitting the water – the DNR does not mess around with illegal fishing activities, and everyone joining in on the fun must have one. Be sure to know your signs and pay attention to them whenever fishing. Your cooperation with the laws and regulations are of the utmost importance to keep the fish population healthy and thriving.
1. Davidson River
Just 4 miles west of Brevard, and less than an hour from Asheville lies the Davidson River in the Pisgah National Forest. Wild Brook Trout are most abundant in isolated, high-altitude headwater streams where the water is free of pollution and rich in oxygen, perfect for the pristine, cold water of the Davidson River.
Brook Trout prefer streams with stable water flows, silt-free gravel for spawning, and an abundance of pools and riffles with sufficient in-stream cover, such as logs and boulders. This river has many easy-to-wade-in spots and is popular for its ample fishing spots peppered up and down its banks.
Davidson River Outfitters is a favorite fly fishing gear store right on the entrance into the Pisgah National Forest entrance from Brevard. It’s a great source to check river conditions, what’s biting, and what’s reeling them in. You can go check out the shop in person or, on their website.
If you want to make it a family affair or a weekend trip, snag a site at the Davidson River Campground, located directly on the river. Tent and RV sites are available with great swimming holes for kids and fishing spots for everyone. Tip: Get there early – the Davidson River is a hotspot for all fishermen and parking can be hard to come by on the weekend.
2. Lake Lure
If you want to try your hand at fishing (and not just trout fishing), then about 45 minutes southeast of Asheville is beautiful Lake Lure. With 27 miles of shoreline, it is a deep, clear, and clean lake that goes up to depths of 100 feet.
Both warm and cold water fish are found in Lake Lure. A variety of bass, trout, bluegills, perch, crappie, carp, and even a few species of catfish can be found here. Lake Lure officials have been working to increase their fish population to accommodate a sustainable bass fishing lake, by stocking smaller fish to help feed the larger predator fish.
Locals know that if you want to have any luck fishing on Lake Lure, you have to get off the shore and get to the deep water. Boats, canoes, kayaks, even stand-up paddle boards are the way to go – permits are no longer required for any non-motorized boats/vessels. There are also boat rentals available from companies in and around the marina.
3. North Mills River
Although not as well known as some of the over rivers listed here, North Mills River is a quaint and enjoyable river for fishing and enjoying the outdoors. 11,000 trout are stocked along a 4 mile stretch of the Mills River between October and June, making it well worth a visit.
This is a wade in only fishing opportunity as it is often shallow and rocky making it unsuitable for any watercraft. Fishing traffic on this river is heaviest at the North Mills River campground. Be aware that there is limited parking and lots of cyclist traffic on the weekends.
But hiking in from Trace Ridge Trailhead can offer much more fishing solitude. The stream is picturesque and usually offers larger rainbow trout due to its heavy stocking of such a small stream. Smaller rods are definitely recommended as the bank is thick with rhododendrons.
4. Catawba River
Approximately 20 miles east of Asheville in McDowell county is the Catawba River. At 220 miles long it’s one of the longest stocked spots in the state of North Carolina. The river is stocked in the spring and summer months making it the best time of the year for fishing here.
One of the most lucrative spots on the Catawba continues to be the Bridgewater Tailrace, just south of Lake James. Trophy-sized brown trout have been caught here on several occasions, making it quite the hotspot.
The fishing regulations change depending on whether you are north or south of the hatchery. The rules regarding “Hatchery Support” and “Special Regulation Trout Water” are different so read those signs carefully and bring a tape measure! Options for wading in near the Bridgewater Tailrace are limited and many opt for kayaks or drift boats. You can wade in the upper areas of the river.
5. French Broad River
Deep pools, swift currents, and a large sandy bottom makes the French Broad River a perfect haven for smallmouth bass. But not just bass are found in our ancient river – huge musky over 50 inches long are, as well as trout, walleye, perch, and sturgeon.
There are spots with enormous rock outcroppings and class IV rapids, so make sure you know where you’re headed, and always check the weather. Most access points in the French Broad River are best accessed by kayak, tubes, and rafts.
With the French Broad being suspect on its pollution levels and containments, paired with the potential of roaring rapids, this river might be best suited for professional guides. Southern Appalachian Anglers offers reasonably priced guided fishing trips of the area and they have over 15 years of experience in fishing WNC.
We hope you have a great time fishing in Asheville!
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Ashley Reid
Ashley Reid is a freelance writer who feels blessed to have called Asheville home for the last five years. Born in the suburbs of Detroit, she spent her 20s living coastal in South Carolina before the Blue Ridge Mountains called her home. Ashley is a homeschooling mother to her two daughters, married to her high school sweetheart, and always looking to the horizon for her next adventure. Ashley moved to Western North Carolina after years of visiting on vacations and realized this place was way too beautiful to leave behind. The Pisgah National Forest, abundance of waterfalls, Blue Ridge Parkway, and plethora of tasty eats in the area won her over to the Tarheel State. She is happiest when she is riverside and is vehement about keeping herself and her children outdoors as much as possible. Ashley is a woman never short of a hobby or new interest. She writes for various publications and companies. She is a voracious reader, aspiring author, sewist, gardener, and amateur homesteader. She loves working with her hands and being with her kids. She has never considered being called weird an insult and has no problem telling strangers about her love of opossums or a new podcast episode. Ashley is always on the hunt for the best burger and coffee in town. She is passionate about wellness, kindness, and keeping childhood wild.