Roanoke Rapids Lake Fishing
Northampton County and Halifax County, NCWRC District 3, 4,600 acres.
- 4launches
- 4,600acres
Photo of Lake Gaston: Domenic R. Merenda at en.wikipedia, CC BY 2.5
Fishing Roanoke Rapids Lake, North Carolina
In Northampton County and Halifax County, Roanoke Rapids Lake is a lake that falls in NCWRC District 3. Surface area on the federal dam record: 4,600 acres. Its dam, Roanoke Rapids, blocks the Roanoke and dates to 1955. About 5 miles separate the water from Gaston.
Species tied to it in NCWRC records: striped bass, bodie bass, american shad, hickory shad and walleye. Count 4 mapped launches around the shore, 3 in the Commission program. The 2026 warmwater list assigns 30,000 1-2 in striped bass here. Public access areas here are owned by Dominion NC Power and NC WRC.
Boating access on Roanoke Rapids Lake
- Fifth Street Landing2 lanes, 44 trailer spaces, 1 dock, Dominion NC Power
- Thelma1 lane, 40 trailer spaces, 1 dock, Dominion NC Power
- Vultare1 lane, 10 trailer spaces, 1 dock, NC WRC
- Boat launch, Roanoke Rapids Lakeboat ramp, public
Boating access near Roanoke Rapids Lake
- GastonRoanoke River, 5 miles east
- SummitLake Gaston, 5 miles west
- HenricoLake Gaston, 9 miles west
- Weldon FallsRoanoke River, 9 miles southeast
- WeldonRoanoke River, 9 miles southeast
- Salmons LandingLake Gaston, 12 miles west
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE Wilmington District, USFS and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Fish of Roanoke Rapids Lake
Species for Roanoke Rapids Lake are those NCWRC stocks, regulates, profiles or holds a record for here. regulated: 4; stocked: 1.
NCWRC 2026 stocking list, warm-water regulations, species profiles and state records.
Stocking on Roanoke Rapids Lake
| Species | Size | Number | Program | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass | 1-2" | 30,000 | MGT | Thelma (WRC BAA), Warrens Landing Road (SR 1422) |
NCWRC 2026 warmwater stocking list and the live trout stocking report. North Carolina stocking.
Creel and size limits on Roanoke Rapids Lake
Rules written for Roanoke Rapids Lake come first and override the statewide rows.
| Species | Size limit | Daily creel |
|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass And Bodie Bass (Striped Bass Hybrid) | 20-inch minimum (Oct. 1 – May 31)No minimum size limit (June 1 – Sept. 30) | 4 in combination |
| Shad (American And Hickory) | No American shad may be possessed. | No American shad may be possessed. |
| Walleye | 18-inch minimum | 5 |
| 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 splits some limits at I-95 and I-77; the rows shown match where Roanoke Rapids Lake sits.
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations (eRegulations), checked October 2026. All North Carolina limits.
Lakes near Roanoke Rapids Lake, compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Stocked 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke Rapids Lake | 4,600 | 4 | yes | |
| Lake Gaston | 22 miles west | 20,300 | 5 | yes |
| John H. Kerr Reservoir | 33 miles west | 48,900 | 17 | |
| Fox Reservoir | 38 miles west | 0 | yes | |
| Indian Lake | 40 miles south | 0 | yes | |
| Tar River Reservoir | 43 miles south | 1,000 | 0 |
The area around Roanoke Rapids Lake
Other reservoirs by Roanoke Rapids Lake
- Lake Gaston22 miles west
- John H. Kerr Reservoir33 miles west
- Fox Reservoir38 miles west
- Indian Lake40 miles south
- Tar River Reservoir43 miles south
Counters a drive from Roanoke Rapids Lake
- Bargain Land Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Roanoke Rapids, 5 miles
- Marvin's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Gaston, 5 miles
- Olde Country Rodsbait and tackle shop, Littleton, 11 miles
- Morningstar Marinas, 1865 Eaton Ferry Rdmarina, Littleton, 13 miles
Towns within a drive of Roanoke Rapids Lake
- Gaston5 miles
- Roanoke Rapids5 miles
- Weldon8 miles
Counties that hold Roanoke Rapids Lake
- Northampton Countyseat: Jackson
- Halifax Countyseat: Halifax
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Roanoke Rapids Lake, the common questions
Which county is home to Roanoke Rapids Lake?
Look in Northampton County and Halifax County, NCWRC District 3, about 5 miles from Gaston.
How many acres does Roanoke Rapids Lake span?
Federal dam data say 4,600 acres.
What ramps reach Roanoke Rapids Lake?
4 launches, with Thelma listed first.
Which species are worth targeting at Roanoke Rapids Lake?
Species on file: striped bass, bodie bass, american shad, hickory shad and walleye.
Are hatchery fish added to Roanoke Rapids Lake?
Yes; the 2026 list sets 30,000 1-2 in striped bass.
Are there size limits at Roanoke Rapids Lake?
Striped Bass And Bodie Bass (Striped Bass Hybrid): 20-inch minimum (Oct. 1 – May 31)No minimum size limit (June 1 – Sept. 30), 4 in combination; Shad (American And Hickory): No American shad may be possessed., No American shad may be possessed.
Which license works on Roanoke Rapids Lake?
The $32 resident inland license, from age 16.
Where does the pool sit at Roanoke Rapids Lake?
No USGS or USACE station is matched.
Which counter sits nearest Roanoke Rapids Lake?
Drive 5 miles to reach Bargain Land Bait & Tackle.
Spend time on Roanoke Rapids Lake
The license page has every North Carolina limit.