165 Lakes · 319 Rivers · 41 Bays and Coast · 100 Counties · 587 TownsNorth Carolina state record fish
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Fishing in Macon County, North Carolina

Seat: Franklin. NCWRC District 9.

  • 3lakes
  • 12launches
  • 233trout streams
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Photo of Nantahala River: Nader Moussa, CC BY-SA 3.0

Macon County, North Carolina

Macon County through an angler’s eyes

Franklin is the seat of Macon County, a District 9 county for NCWRC. Land in Macon County totals 516 square miles, water 4.1.

3 lake pages fall in the county, the largest being Nantahala Lake. There are 12 launches mapped here: 12 inland, 0 coastal or joint. 233 county streams carry an NCWRC trout class. The 2026 trout calendar includes 6 waters here.

3lake pages
12mapped launches
233trout streams
1shops
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Map

Where to fish in Macon County, plotted

NCWRC access areas, USACE, USFS, OpenStreetMap and NC DCM, checked October 2026.

Lakes

Lakes in Macon County

Streams

Streams across Macon County

  • Nantahala Riverriver, Delayed Harvest, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout, 1 launch
  • Little Tennessee Riverriver, 6 launches
  • Cullasaja Riverriver, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Buck Creekcreek, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Burningtown Creek near Franklin, Macon Countycreek, Hatchery Supported
  • Cartoogechaye Creekcreek, Hatchery Supported
  • Chattooga Riverriver, Wild Trout
  • Mill Creek, Clay Countycreek, Wild Trout
  • Burningtown Creek near Franklin, Macon County, 1.7 micreek, Wild Trout
  • Buckeye Creek, Macon Countycreek, Wild Trout
  • Cane Creek, Macon Countycreek, Wild Trout

Trout creeks across Macon County

Wild Trout rules cover 223 further streams here: 4 trout, 7-inch minimum, no natural bait.

  • Abes Creek1.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Allison Creek0.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Ammons Branch1.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Appletree Branch1.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Arrowhead Branch0.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Arrowwood Creek1.5 mi, Wild Trout
  • Ash Flat Branch1.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Bad Branch0.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Ball Creek2.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Barkers Creek1.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Bates Branch0.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Battle Branch0.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Bearpen Creek3.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Beasley Creek0.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Beech Cove Branch0 mi, Wild Trout
  • Ben Creek1.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Bennies Branch0.5 mi, Wild Trout
  • Betty Creek1.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Big Branch4.9 mi, Wild Trout
  • Big Creek4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Big Indian Creek1.9 mi, Wild Trout
  • Big Laurel Branch1.9 mi, Wild Trout
  • Big Laurel Creek1.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Big Norton Prong0.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Big Shoal Branch1.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Black Mountain Branch0.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Blackrock Branch0.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Blazed Creek2.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Blockade Branch0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Boardtree Branch1.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Bradley Creek1.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Bridge Branch1.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Brooks Creek1.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Brown Creek0.9 mi, Wild Trout
  • Brush Creek2.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Brushy Branch1.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Bryson Branch4.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Burningtown Branch1.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Cadon Branch0.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Caler Fork0.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Camp Branch3.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Camprock Branch0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Carpenters Branch0.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Chestnut Orchard Branch0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Choga Creek3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Clear Creek2.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Cloer Branch1.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Cold Spring Creek0.9 mi, Wild Trout
  • Commissioner Creek1.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Conley Camp Branch1.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Corbin Creek0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Cornet Branch0.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Covefield Branch0.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Coweeta Creek0.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Crow Creek0.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Cunningham Creek1.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Curtis Creek0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • De Weese Branch1.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Devils Prong1.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Dicks Creek2.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Dirty John Creek1.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Doubletop Branch0.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Downes Branch0.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Dry Branch0.5 mi, Wild Trout
  • Dryman Fork2.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Drymans Branch0.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • East Fork Overflow Creek2.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Edwards Branch0.9 mi, Wild Trout
  • Ellijay Creek0.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Emory Branch0.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Evans Creek1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Factory Branch1.9 mi, Wild Trout
  • Fall Branch2.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Falls Branch2.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Garrison Branch1.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Gibby Branch1.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Glade Creek1.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Gold Pit Creek1.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Grape Cove Branch0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Gulf Branch0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Gulf Fork1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Hampton Branch0.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Handpole Branch0.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Hemp Patch Branch2.5 mi, Wild Trout
  • Henson Branch1.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Henson Creek2.5 mi, Wild Trout
  • Hickory Branch0.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • High Laurel Branch1.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Holloway Branch1.9 mi, Wild Trout
  • Holly Branch0.5 mi, Wild Trout
  • Horse Cove Branch0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Houston Branch0.5 mi, Wild Trout
  • Howard Branch0.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Huckleberry Creek0.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Hurricane Creek5.3 mi, Wild Trout
  • Indian Branch1.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Indian Camp Branch2.5 mi, Wild Trout
  • Indian Camp Creek1.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Ingram Branch0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Jacob Branch0.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • James Creek2.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Jarrett Creek3.5 mi, Wild Trout
  • Joe Creek0.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Joe Dave Branch0.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Joe Hicks Branch1.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • John Branch0.7 mi, Wild Trout
  • Johnson Branch2.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Katie Creek0 mi, Wild Trout
  • Kilby Creek1.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Kimsey Creek3.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Kit Spring Branch1.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Lakey Creek0.1 mi, Wild Trout
  • Larry Brush Branch0 mi, Wild Trout
  • Laurel Branch8.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Laurel Creek2.8 mi, Wild Trout
  • Lee Branch0.4 mi, Wild Trout
  • Lee Creek1.6 mi, Wild Trout
  • Left Prong Burningtown Creek0.2 mi, Wild Trout
  • Left Prong Ray Branch0.9 mi, Wild Trout
  • Left Prong Rough Fork1.1 mi, Wild Trout

Flow in Macon County

USGS gaugeLatest readingTime (ET)
Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss, Nc145 cfs, 1.57 ft gage heightNov 9 11:30 pm
Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs, Nc113 cfs, 1.09 ft gage heightNov 9 11:30 pm
Cartoogechaye Creek At Sr 1148 Near Franklin, Nc52 cfs, 0.37 ft gage heightNov 9 11:30 pm

US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 10, 2026 12:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.

NCWRC Public Mountain Trout Waters 2026.

Launches

Launch sites across Macon County

Freshwater ramps of Macon County (12)

  • Bryson Trailrace, paddle access, 5 trailer spaces
  • Choga RoadNantahala Lake, 1 lane, 5 trailer spaces, restrooms, 1 dock
  • Lake EmoryLittle Tennessee River, 1 lane, 10 trailer spaces
  • Nantahala River Launch Site, boat ramp, fee
  • Queens CreekQueens Creek Lake, paddle access, 4 trailer spaces, restrooms
  • Rocky BranchNantahala Lake, 2 lanes, 37 trailer spaces, restrooms, 1 dock
  • Tellico CreekLittle Tennessee River, paddle access, 4 trailer spaces
  • Wishons Fishing HoleNantahala River, paddle access, 10 trailer spaces
  • Boat launch, Nantahala LakeNantahala Lake, boat ramp
  • Riverside Access, boat ramp
  • Unnamed slipway (Macon County), boat ramp
  • Unnamed slipway (Macon County), boat ramp

NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE, USFS and OpenStreetMap slipways.

Stocking

Stocking across Macon County

Macon County trout calendar

WaterDatesFirst
Burningtown Creek12026-05-14
Cartoogechaye Creek12026-05-14
Cliffside Lake12026-05-18
Cullasaja River12026-05-18
Nantahala River22026-04-08
Nantahala River22026-05-06
Queens Creek Reservoir12026-05-06

Records set in Macon County

SpeciesWeightWater
Kokanee Salmon4 lbs, 1 ounceNantahala Lake

NCWRC 2026 warmwater list, live trout report and freshwater state records.

Limits

Inland limits in Macon County

SpeciesDaily creelSizeSeason
Largemouth and smallmouth bass5 a day14 in minimumNo closed season
Crappie20 a day8 in minimumNo closed season
Sunfishno creel limitno size limitNo closed season
Striped and Bodie bass4 a day20 in minimumNo closed season
White bass10 a dayno size limitNo closed season
Walleye8 a dayno size limitNo closed season
Blue, channel and flathead catfishno creel limitno size limitNo closed season
Trout (undesignated waters)7 a dayno size limitNo closed season

NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations; rows chosen by the county seat position against I-95 and I-77.

Local help

Tackle sellers in Macon County

Shops in Macon County

  • Bryant Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Topton

Guides to hire in Macon County

  • Western NC Fly Fishing Guidefly / trout guide, Franklin, (828) 342-6480
Nearby

Just around Macon County

Towns of Macon County

  • Franklinpop. 4,175
  • Highlandspop. 1,072

Bordering counties, Macon County

Pictures

What is near Macon County, in pictures

Franklin, North Carolina
Franklin 0.0 mi
Photo: Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
Cullasaja River, North Carolina
Cullasaja River 8.0 mi
Photo: Jan Kronsell, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fontana Lake, North Carolina
Fontana Lake 19 mi
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0
Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
Lake Santeetlah 29 mi
Photo: John Matzko, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hunting

Hunting in Macon County

Public hunting land, seasons and processors for Macon County are on State Hunting Spots, our sister site.

Macon County hunting
Answers

Questions people send about Macon County

How many boat ramps serve Macon County?

12 launches on the map: 12 inland, 0 tidal.

Where should a first trip in Macon County go?

Nantahala Lake, 1,605 acres.

Are there sounds in Macon County?

No, it lies wholly inland.

Which office runs fishing in Macon County?

NCWRC District 9.

Which counters sell bait in Macon County?

Try Bryant Bait & Tackle; there are 1 listed.

Is a guide available to hire in Macon County?

Our guide list shows 1 guide or charter.

Where does NCWRC stock in Macon County?

NCWRC lists 6 waters (0 fish, 6 trout waters).

Which town is the Macon County seat?

Franklin, the seat.

What license fee applies in Macon County?

Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).

Start in Macon County

Spot pages list fees, access and limits.

All North Carolina countiesNorth Carolina limits