Places to Fish in the High Country
Delayed harvest trout streams:
Watauga County
Watauga River (S.R. 1557 bridge to N.C. 105 bridge and S.R. 1114 bridge to N.C. 194 bridge at Valle Crucis)
Ashe County
Trout Lake
Helton Creek (Virginia state line to New River)
Wild trout streams:
Watauga County
Dutch Creek (headwaters to second bridge on S.R. 1134)
Howards Creek (headwaters to lower falls)
Watauga River (Avery County line to S.R. 1580 bridge at Foscoe)
Elk River-Below falls & 1/2 mile above falls
Avery County
Anthony Creek-
Birchfield Creek
Bucks Timber Creek
Cow Camp Creek
Cranberry Creek
Gary Flat Branck
Horse Creek
Jones Creek
Kentucky Creek
North Harper Creek
Plumtree Creek
Roaring Creek
Rockhouse Creek
South Harper Creek
Webb Prong
Wilson Creek-upper section
Catch & release trout streams (Flies only):
Avery County
Lost Cove Creek (game land portion, excluding Gragg Prong and Rockhouse Creek)
Elk River (portion on Lees-McRae College property, excluding the
millpond)
Catch & release trout streams (lures only):
Ashe County
Big Horse Creek (Virginia state line to SR 1361 bridge, excluding tributaries)
Three Top Creek (game land portion)
Avery County
Wilson Creek (game land portion)
Information from www.flyfishingnc.com
License Information
State - One-day license, $5
State - License term, $15
County - License term, $10
Comprehensive Fishing: Statewide fishing for residents in inland public waters during a license term. Also includes the privileges of fishing in designated trout waters and fishing in trout waters on game lands, $20.
Special Fishing Devices (basic/non-commercial): Authorizes the taking of nongame fish from inland waters during designated seasons with nets, traps, gigs, reels, spear guns, baskets, bow and arrow, and any other authorized special fishing device. Includes the sale of these nongame fish. Taking of nongame fishes with bow and arrow is authorized under any of the licenses providing basic hunting or fishing privileges. This license is valid when no more than three special fishing devices are used, $10.
Special Fishing Devices (basic/commercial): Authorizes the taking of nongame fish from inland waters during designated seasons with nets, traps, gigs, reels, spear guns, baskets, bow and arrow, and any other authorized special fishing device. Includes the sale of these nongame fish. Taking of nongame fishes with bow and arrow is authorized under any of the licenses providing basic hunting or fishing privileges. This license is valid when four or more special fishing devices are used, $100.
Special Trout Fishing: Needed to fish in designated mountain trout waters. Covers trout fishing on game lands, $10.
LIFETIME
State Comprehensive Fishing: Statewide fishing in all inland public waters including designated mountain trout waters, $250.
Information from www.flyfishingnc.com