Fishing in Lee County, North Carolina
Seat: Sanford. NCWRC District 5.
- 1lakes
- 4launches
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Broadway: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
An overview of Lee County
County offices for Lee County are in Sanford; NCWRC handles it from District 5. The county holds 255 square miles of land plus 4.1 of water.
San-Lee Park Ponds heads the 1 county lakes on this site. Boaters can use 4 launches, 4 of them inland and 0 on salt or brackish water. NCWRC plans 2,200 warmwater fish for 1 water here in 2026.
Lee County fishing access, mapped
NCWRC access areas, USACE, USFS, OpenStreetMap and NC DCM, checked October 2026.
Still water across Lee County
- San-Lee Park Pondspond, 1 launch, Community Fishing Program
Flowing water in Lee County
- Cape Fear Riverriver, 10 launches
- Deep Riverriver, 3 launches
Lee County stream gauges
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Deep River At Moncure, Nc | 108 cfs, 1.20 ft gage height | Nov 14 8:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 8:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Ramps throughout Lee County
Lake ramps and river put-ins in Lee County (4)
- San-Lee ParkSan-Lee Park Ponds, paddle access, 100 trailer spaces, restrooms
- US Hwy 15/501 Lee CountyDeep River, paddle access, 6 trailer spaces
- US Hwy 421 Lee CountyDeep River, paddle access, 6 trailer spaces
- Boat launch, Morris Pond, boat ramp
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE, USFS and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Lee County stocking and record fish
NCWRC stocking in Lee County
| Water | Species | Number |
|---|---|---|
| San Lee Park | Channel Catfish | 2,200 |
NCWRC 2026 warmwater list, live trout report and freshwater state records.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Statewide limits for Lee County
| Species | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | No closed season |
| Crappie | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Sunfish | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Striped and Bodie bass | 4 a day | 20 in minimum | No closed season |
| White bass | 10 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Walleye | 8 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Rock and Roanoke bass | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Blue, channel and flathead catfish | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Trout (undesignated waters) | 7 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations; rows chosen by the county seat position against I-95 and I-77.
Hired help in Lee County
Bait counters, Lee County
- Cashion Custom Lures & Rods Llbait and tackle shop, Sanford
- Thomas Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Sanford
- Tri River Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Sanford
- Bow Mansporting goods store, Sanford
Short drives from Lee County
Town pages, Lee County
- Sanfordpop. 30,261
- Broadwaypop. 1,267
Adjoining Lee County
- Chatham County16 miles north
- Harnett County18 miles southeast
- Moore County21 miles southwest
- Hoke County32 miles south
A look around Lee County
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
What to know in Lee County
Where are the ramps in Lee County?
Records show 4 launches (4 inland, 0 coastal or joint).
Which lake tops Lee County by size?
San-Lee Park Ponds.
Does Lee County reach the coast?
No; drive east for salt water.
Which agencies manage fishing in Lee County?
NCWRC District 5.
Which counters sell bait in Lee County?
Listings show 4 shops, such as Cashion Custom Lures & Rods Ll.
Which guides run trips in Lee County?
None list the county.
What does NCWRC add to Lee County waters?
1 water on the 2026 lists (2,200 warmwater fish, 0 trout waters).
What is the Lee County county seat?
County government is in Sanford.
Which North Carolina license covers Lee County?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Give Lee County a day of fishing
Each spot opens to a page of details.