Crawford Lake Fishing
Scotland County, NCWRC District 4, 28 acres.
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Laurinburg: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
An overview of Crawford Lake
Look for Crawford Lake in Scotland County; the lake sits inside NCWRC District 4. The dam inventory puts its surface near 28 acres. The Joes Creek was dammed at Crawford Lake Dam in 1850 to make it. The closest incorporated town is Dobbins Heights, about 7 miles from the lake point.
1 mapped launch reach the water; 0 are NCWRC Boating Access Areas. Access sites list NC WRC as owner.
Ramps on Crawford Lake
- Crawford Lakepaddle access, 4 trailer spaces, NC WRC
Public fishing areas around Crawford Lake
- Crawford Lakebank access, owner NC WRC, open
Ramps by Crawford Lake
- Hamlet City ParkHamlet City Lake, 7 miles west
- Kinney CameronKinney Cameron Lake, 7 miles north
- Scotland LakeSandhills Gl Pond, 8 miles northeast
- Indian CampIndian Camp Lake, 8 miles north
- McKinney Lake Fish HatcheryMcKinney Lake, 8 miles north
- Hinson LakeHinson Lake, 10 miles west
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE Wilmington District, USFS and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
What you may keep from Crawford Lake
NCWRC lists nothing extra for Crawford Lake.
| 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 |
Where Crawford Lake lies relative to I-95 and I-77 sets the crappie and sunfish rows here.
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations (eRegulations), checked October 2026. All North Carolina limits.
For the smallmouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 How Crawford Lake compares nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Stocked 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawford Lake | 28 | 1 | ||
| Hamlet City Lake | 6 miles west | 45 | 1 | yes |
| Kinney Cameron Lake | 7 miles north | 1 | ||
| Sandhills Gl Pond, Scotland County | 8 miles northeast | 1 | ||
| Indian Camp Lake | 8 miles north | 1 | yes | |
| McKinney Lake | 8 miles north | 73 | 1 |
Out from Crawford Lake
Lakes within a drive of Crawford Lake
- Hamlet City Lake6 miles west
- Kinney Cameron Lake7 miles north
- Sandhills Gl Pond, Scotland County8 miles northeast
- Indian Camp Lake8 miles north
- McKinney Lake8 miles north
Pick up bait near Crawford Lake
- Glenns Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Rockingham, 9 miles
- Aberdeen Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Aberdeen, 19 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Southern Pinessporting goods store, Southern Pines, 21 miles
Where to sleep near Crawford Lake
- Dobbins Heights7 miles
- Hamlet8 miles
- Gibson9 miles
Crawford Lake, county by county
- Scotland Countyseat: Laurinburg
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Species to expect near Crawford Lake
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: BenitoJuarez98, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
_0125_(27330088657).jpg){kind=link}
Questions people send about Crawford Lake
Where in North Carolina is Crawford Lake?
Scotland County; the Commission files it under District 4, about 7 miles from Dobbins Heights.
How much surface does Crawford Lake span?
Roughly 28 surface acres.
Can a trailered boat use Crawford Lake?
There are 1 launch; Crawford Lake is a good start.
What lives in Crawford Lake?
NCWRC publishes no species list for it.
Do stocking trucks visit Crawford Lake?
No 2026 stocking is listed.
Does Crawford Lake have special limits?
Only the statewide inland limits.
What paperwork does Crawford Lake need?
Anglers 16 and up need the inland license ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Is Crawford Lake below full pool today?
No gauge on file.
Where do I stock up for Crawford Lake?
Glenns Bait & Tackle is closest at 9 miles.
Get to Crawford Lake this year
Check fees and limits before the drive.