Lake Sutton Fishing
New Hanover County, NCWRC District 2, 1,185 acres.
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Fishing Lake Sutton, North Carolina
In New Hanover County, Lake Sutton is a lake that falls in NCWRC District 2. Surface area on the federal dam record: 1,185 acres. Its dam, Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam, blocks the Cape Fear River and dates to 1972. About 2 miles separate the water from Navassa.
Species tied to it in NCWRC records: largemouth bass, black crappie and white crappie. Count 1 mapped launch around the shore, 1 in the Commission program. There are 19 attractor sites on the NCWRC map, 0 with buoys. Public access areas here are owned by Duke Energy Progress.
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Boating access on Lake Sutton
- Sutton Lake2 lanes, 31 trailer spaces, 3 docks, Duke Energy Progress
Bank and pier fishing areas at Lake Sutton
- Sutton Lake1 pier, owner Duke Energy Progress, open
Boating access near Lake Sutton
- Rices CreekRice Creek, 11 miles south
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE Wilmington District, USFS and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Fish of Lake Sutton
Species for Lake Sutton are those NCWRC stocks, regulates, profiles or holds a record for here. regulated: 3.
NCWRC 2026 stocking list, warm-water regulations, species profiles and state records.
Creel and size limits on Lake Sutton
Rules written for Lake Sutton come first and override the statewide rows.
| Species | Size limit | Daily creel |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 14-inch minimum | 5 |
| Crappie (Black And White) | 8-inch minimum | 20 in combination |
- Sutton Lake Game LandNCWRC other fishing regulations
- Possess a loaded firearm other than a handgun possessed pursuant to a valid concealed handgun permit on those boating access areas where concealed carry is allowed by the landowner. Carrying any loaded firearm, including concealed handguns, is not allowed on boating access areas at Bladen Lakes StatNCWRC other fishing regulations
| Species | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | No closed season |
| Crappie | 20 a day | 8 in minimum | No closed season |
| Sunfish | 30 a day | 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 splits some limits at I-95 and I-77; the rows shown match where Lake Sutton sits.
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations (eRegulations), checked October 2026. All North Carolina limits.
Lakes near Lake Sutton, compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Stocked 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Sutton | 1,185 | 1 | ||
| Surf City Community Center Pond | 27 miles east | 0 | yes | |
| Lake Waccamaw | 29 miles west | 2 | ||
| Boney Mill Pond | 31 miles north | 1 | ||
| Brocks Mill Pond | 64 miles northeast | 0 | ||
| Great Lake | 67 miles northeast | 1 |
The area around Lake Sutton
Other reservoirs by Lake Sutton
- Surf City Community Center Pond27 miles east
- Lake Waccamaw29 miles west
- Boney Mill Pond31 miles north
- Brocks Mill Pond64 miles northeast
- Great Lake67 miles northeast
Counters a drive from Lake Sutton
- Roy's Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Wilmington, 2 miles
- Lee's Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cape Fear, 2 miles
- Cape Fear Marinamarina, Wilmington, 5 miles
- Port City Marinamarina, Wilmington, 5 miles
- The Balcony On Dockmarina, Wilmington, 6 miles
- County Line Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Castle Hayne, 7 miles
Towns within a drive of Lake Sutton
- Navassa2 miles
- Belville6 miles
- Leland6 miles
Counties that hold Lake Sutton
- New Hanover Countyseat: Wilmington
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Lake Sutton, the common questions
Which county is home to Lake Sutton?
Look in New Hanover County, NCWRC District 2, about 2 miles from Navassa.
How many acres does Lake Sutton span?
Federal dam data say 1,185 acres.
What ramps reach Lake Sutton?
1 launch, with Sutton Lake listed first.
Which species are worth targeting at Lake Sutton?
Species on file: largemouth bass, black crappie and white crappie.
Are hatchery fish added to Lake Sutton?
It is not on the 2026 stocking lists.
Are there size limits at Lake Sutton?
Largemouth Bass: 14-inch minimum, 5; Crappie (Black And White): 8-inch minimum, 20 in combination.
Which license works on Lake Sutton?
The $32 resident inland license, from age 16.
Where does the pool sit at Lake Sutton?
No USGS or USACE station is matched.
Which counter sits nearest Lake Sutton?
Drive 2 miles to reach Roy's Bait & Tackle Shop.
Spend time on Lake Sutton
The license page has every North Carolina limit.