W. Kerr Scott Reservoir Fishing
Wilkes County, NCWRC District 7, 1,475 acres.
- 9launches
- 1,475acres
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Getting oriented on W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
W. Kerr Scott Reservoir covers part of Wilkes County as a reservoir in NCWRC District 7. The National Inventory of Dams lists 1,475 surface acres at normal pool. The water backs up behind W. Kerr Scott Dam Dam on the Yadkin River, completed in 1963. Supplies are closest in Wilkesboro, about 6 miles away.
Records from the Commission list bodie bass, striped bass and bullhead catfish. 9 mapped launches serve it, 0 of them NCWRC Boating Access Areas. For 2026, NCWRC plans to stock 5,000 1-2 in striped bass and 5,000 1-2 in bodie bass. Ownership of the ramps: US Army Corps of Engineers and US Army Corps Of Engineers.
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- Bandits Roost Boat Ramp1 lane, fee, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Boomer Road Boat Ramp1 lane, fee, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Dam Site Boat Ramp1 lane, fee, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Fort Hamby Park Boat Ramp2 lanes, fee, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Keowee Boat Ramp1 lane, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Marley's Ford Canoe Launchpaddle access, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Smitheys Creek Parkpaddle access, 75 trailer spaces, fee, restrooms, US Army Corps Of Engineers
- Tailwater Access Canoe Launchpaddle access, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Wilkes Skyline Marina Boat Ramp2 lanes, US Army Corps of Engineers
NCWRC shoreline access, W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
- Smitheys Creek Park1 pier, owner US Army Corps Of Engineers, open
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE Wilmington District, USFS and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
The W. Kerr Scott Reservoir gauge
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| W. Kerr Scott Reservoir At Dam Nr Wilkesboro, Nc | 39.41 ft lake elevation | Oct 14 8:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 14, 2026 8:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (CWMS), reading for Oct 10, 2026. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026 8:34 am ET. Not updated since Oct 10, 2026.
Fish to target on W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
NCWRC publishes no species survey for most lakes, so this list comes from stocking, regulations, profiles and records that name W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. stocked: 2; named in the NCWRC profile: 1.
NCWRC 2026 stocking list, warm-water regulations, species profiles and state records.
W. Kerr Scott Reservoir stocking plan
| Species | Size | Number | Program | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass | 1-2" | 5,000 | MGT | Boomer & Warrior Cr. Access Areas off Hwy 268 |
| Bodie Bass | 1-2" | 5,000 | MGT | Boomer & Warrior Cr. Access Areas off Hwy 268 |
NCWRC 2026 warmwater stocking list and the live trout stocking report. North Carolina stocking.
W. Kerr Scott Reservoir rules
No NCWRC rule names W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, so statewide inland limits apply.
| 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 | 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 |
| 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 |
Rows depending on I-95 or I-77 are chosen for the location of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir.
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations (eRegulations), checked October 2026. All North Carolina limits.
Side by side with W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Stocked 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W. Kerr Scott Reservoir | 1,475 | 9 | yes | |
| Ellendale Pond | 12 miles south | 0 | yes | |
| Pike Creek Pond | 19 miles north | 0 | yes | |
| Boundary Line Pond | 19 miles north | 0 | yes | |
| Bell Branch Pond | 19 miles north | 0 | yes | |
| Boone Fork Pond | 20 miles west | 0 | yes |
Neighbors of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir on the map
Lakes close to W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
- Ellendale Pond12 miles south
- Pike Creek Pond19 miles north
- Boundary Line Pond19 miles north
- Bell Branch Pond19 miles north
- Boone Fork Pond20 miles west
Bait stores near W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
- Kerr Scottmarina, Wilkes, 3 miles
- Wilkes Skyline Marinamarina, Wilkesboro, 3 miles
- Wilkes Skyline Marina Snackbarmarina, Wilkesboro, 3 miles
- The Spillwaycountry store with bait, Wilkesboro, 4 miles
- Rink Dam Boat Dockmarina, Taylorsville, 20 miles
- Zaloo's Kayaks & Fly Shopfly shop, Jefferson, 20 miles
Places to stay by W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
- Wilkesboro6 miles
- North Wilkesboro9 miles
- Taylorsville15 miles
Which counties W. Kerr Scott Reservoir crosses
- Wilkes Countyseat: Wilkesboro
Reels and a lip grip from Piscifun
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Common catches near W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Unknown author, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Nick Loveland, CC0 1.0
W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in a few answers
Which corner of North Carolina holds W. Kerr Scott Reservoir?
Find it in Wilkes County within District 7, about 6 miles from Wilkesboro.
What surface does W. Kerr Scott Reservoir cover at full pool?
1,475 acres on the National Inventory of Dams.
Where is boating access on W. Kerr Scott Reservoir?
9 launches; Marley's Ford Canoe Launch is one of them.
Which fish does NCWRC tie to W. Kerr Scott Reservoir?
Records point to bodie bass, striped bass and bullhead catfish.
Does NCWRC stock W. Kerr Scott Reservoir?
It gets 5,000 1-2 in striped bass and 5,000 1-2 in bodie bass in 2026.
What are the creel limits at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir?
Nothing beyond statewide limits.
What license fee applies at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir?
Residents buy the $32 inland license from age 16.
Does a gauge track W. Kerr Scott Reservoir?
The reading from USGS sits in the level box above.
Which tackle counter is nearest W. Kerr Scott Reservoir?
Try Kerr Scott, around 3 miles off.
Drive out to W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
Fees and every statewide limit sit on the license page.