Fishing in Washington County, North Carolina
Seat: Plymouth. NCWRC District 1.
- 1lakes
- 8launches
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Chowan River: Wendy, CC BY-SA 2.0
Fishing across Washington County
Washington County has its seat in Plymouth and sits in NCWRC fisheries District 1. Washington County spans 347 square miles of land and 75.4 square miles of water.
Of 1 lake listed in the county, Lake Phelps leads by size. The county has 8 launches, split 2 inland and 6 coastal or joint. Coastal anglers get 0 fishing piers, 13 access sites and 0 reefs nearby.
Every access point in Washington County
NCWRC access areas, USACE, USFS, OpenStreetMap and NC DCM, checked October 2026.
Impoundments in Washington County
- Lake Phelpslake
Creeks in Washington County
- Scuppernong Riverriver, 2 launches
- Conaby Creekcreek, 1 launch
River readings across Washington County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Van Swamp Near Hoke, Nc | 0 cfs, 1.60 ft gage height | Nov 14 7:30 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 8:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Access areas in Washington County
Inland boating access, Washington County (2)
- Conaby CreekConaby Creek, 1 lane, 22 trailer spaces, 2 docks
- CreswellScuppernong River, 1 lane, 5 trailer spaces, 2 docks
Coastal and joint launches in Washington County (6)
- NC Hwy 45 BridgeRoanoke River, joint waters, 2 lanes, 25 trailer spaces, 1 dock
- Plymouth Water StreetRoanoke River, joint waters, 2 lanes, 36 trailer spaces, 2 docks
- Mackeys Marina, coastal waters, marina ramp, fee
- Unnamed slipway (Washington County), coastal waters, boat ramp
- Unnamed slipway (Washington County), joint waters, boat ramp
- Unnamed slipway (Washington County), coastal waters, boat ramp
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE, USFS and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Sound and ocean access, Washington County
Washington County has 13 DCM access sites, 0 on the oceanfront.
Washington County coastal limits
| Species | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 1 a day | 18-27 in | Year-round |
| Flounder (all species) | 1 a day | 15 in minimum | Sept. 1-14, 2026 |
| Spotted seatrout | 3 a day | 14-20 in, plus 1 over 26 in | Open (reopened July 1, 2026) |
| Weakfish | 1 a day | 12 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Black drum | 10 a day | 14-25 in, plus 1 over 25 in | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Sheepshead | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Striped bass (Albemarle Sound Management Area) | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Bluefish | 5 a day | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Spanish mackerel | 15 a day | 12 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCDMF piers and reefs, NC DCM access sites and NCDMF limits.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Stocked lakes nearest Washington County
| Lake | Distance from Plymouth | 2026 stocking |
|---|---|---|
| Newbold Pond | 42 miles | 1,500 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Etheridge Pond | 44 miles | 1,500 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Indian Lake | 46 miles | 2,700 8-12 in channel catfish |
NCWRC 2026 stocking lists.
Shops and guides, Washington County
Bait counters across Washington County
- Mackey's Marinamarina, Roper
In reach of Washington County
Places in Washington County
- Plymouthpop. 3,320
- Roperpop. 485
- Creswellpop. 207
Next counties over from Washington County
- Chowan County20 miles north
- Tyrrell County23 miles east
- Perquimans County25 miles north
- Bertie County26 miles northwest
Common catches near Washington County
Photo: Mick Johnson, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Attackgirl (talk) (Uploads), Public domain
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Donna Fernstrom, CC BY 4.0
Washington County in a few answers
How many ramps does Washington County count?
8 launches on file: 2 inland, 6 coastal or joint.
What is the best-known lake in Washington County?
Lake Phelps.
Does Washington County have sound or ocean fishing?
It does, with 0 fishing piers and 13 DCM sites.
What NCWRC district is Washington County in?
NCWRC District 1; NCDMF also manages its coastal and joint waters.
Which counters carry tackle in Washington County?
Mackey's Marina and others, 1 in all.
Do charter boats leave from Washington County?
Try the statewide guide page.
Are trout stocked in Washington County?
No county water is on the 2026 lists.
Which town governs Washington County?
It is Plymouth.
What license do I need in Washington County?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident). Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Cast across Washington County
Pick a lake, ramp or pier above.