NC Wildlife will stock 67,000 trout in December: Where to fish, what to know

ASHEVILLE - Looking to head out for a fall fishing trip in the mountains? Looks like you may be in luck.

In the coming weeks, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will stock more than 67,000 trout from the Bobby N. Setzer and Armstrong state fish hatcheries into 44 small lakes and ponds located throughout the mountains and Piedmont of North Carolina.

Starting Nov. 29, NCWRC staff will slowly stock brook, brown and rainbow trout at each of the locations, providing seasonal angling opportunities to the public. All fish stocked will be 10 inches or larger.

Anglers may harvest up to seven trout per day. There are no bait restrictions and no minimum size limits.

Requirements include a fishing license, which may be purchased online at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's website at https://license.gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com/Licensing/CustomerLookup.aspx. A fishing license can also be bought by calling 833-950-0575.

During the recent extreme drought, NCWRC staff took measures to minimize drought impacts on trout production.

"Our staff were able minimize impacts at hatcheries by constantly monitoring conditions and making adjustments as needed to reduce stress on fish during low flow periods," said wildlife commission spokesperson Anna Gurney.

Additionally, each of the locations selected have been deemed suitable for trout by NCWRC staff.

"The locations were checked prior to adding them to the list recently to confirm habitat was suitable," Gurney said.

Winter trout stocking in Buncombe?

With five locations and both the upper and lower half of Charles D. Owen Park receiving trout, Buncombe County will have more options for trout fishing than nearly any other county.

While the winter stocking schedule is subject to change, here is when and where you can expect to catch trout in Buncombe:

• Nov. 30: Lake Louise

• Nov. 30: Lake Powhatan

• Dec. 1: Azalea Pond

• Dec. 4: Charles D. Owen Park

• Dec. 13: Tomahawk Lake

Before going fishing, the NCWRC recommends checking for any updates to the stocking schedule. Fishing on these ponds and lakes, which are hatchery-supported trout waters, will be allowed until the season ends Feb. 29.

Delayed harvest streams are still available

Fishing has continued along delayed harvest streams, which provide easier fishing for newcomers and well-worn anglers alike.

While Buncombe does not have delayed harvest streams, neighboring counties Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell and Yancey all include options to fish delayed harvest streams. The season ends on May 31.

Here are some options if you want to make a quick trip out of the county:

Haywood County

• West Fork Pigeon River

Henderson County

• North Fork Mills River

Madison County

• Big Laurel Creek

• Shelton Laurel Creek

• Spring Creek

McDowell County

• Curtis Creek

• Mill Creek

• Catawba River

Yancey County

• Cane River

For updates on stocking information for the delayed harvest season, you can visit ncwildlife.org/Fishing/Hatcheries-Stocking.

Prevent aquatic diseases among trout

Additionally, the commission reminds anglers to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species, such as whirling disease, gill lice and didymo, by:

• Cleaning equipment of all aquatic plants and animals and mud.

• Draining water from boat, live wells and equipment.

• Drying equipment thoroughly.

• Never moving fish, plants or other organisms from one body of water to another.

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Future fishing seasons to see more trout?

In 2022, trout fishing alone brought $1.38 billion to the North Carolina economy, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Many of those trout are raised in the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery — the states largest trout hatchery.

In September, the Forest Service, in partnership with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, announced a search for feedback on renovations to the Bobby Setzer Hatchery in Transylvania. The hatchery experienced extensive damage after Tropical Storm Fred in 2021.

The expansion of the hatchery will likely increase trout production, while reducing "the stress on the fish" improving health, growth and survival, said wildlife commission spokesperson Anna Gurney in a September email to the Citizen Times.

As for future fishing seasons, Gurney says it shouldn't affect any fishing season, as the wildlife commission aims to find fish to substitute any losses.

"The hatchery will be shut down to rebuild the hatchery building and raceways, trout production will be reduced.  We are currently working on options for obtaining trout to help fill the gap. Changes in fishing seasons are not anticipated, and the Commission is making efforts to limit the effect on anglers," Gurney said.

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Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC Wildlife to stock 67,000 trout lakes and ponds this winter