North Carolina Rivers and Trout Streams

319 North Carolina rivers and trout streams with NCWRC trout classes, stocking dates, launches, limits and live USGS flow.

Photo of Black River: Greenlindae, CC0 1.0

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North Carolina rivers and creeks with a launch, a USGS gauge, a 2026 stocking entry, a water-specific rule or a Public Mountain Trout Waters class other than wild only. Each page carries the trout classes, stocking dates, limits and live flow.

(

  • (Big) Glade CreekHatchery Supported
  • (Big) Hungry RiverHatchery Supported
  • (Big) Snowbird CreekDelayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • (Rocky) Broad RiverHatchery Supported

A

  • Alarka CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Alligator Riverriver
  • Andrews CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Ararat RiverDelayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • Armstrong Creek near Spruce Pine, McDowell CountyWild Trout
  • Armstrong Creek near Spruce Pine, McDowell County, 1.6 miHatchery Supported

B

  • Bald Mountain CreekHatchery Supported
  • Basin CreekHatchery Supported
  • Bay Riverriver
  • Bear Creekcreek
  • Bearwallow BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Beaver CreekHatchery Supported
  • Beaverdam CreekHatchery Supported
  • Bee BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Beech CreekHatchery Supported
  • Bent CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Big CreekWild Trout
  • Big Elkin CreekHatchery Supported
  • Big Flatty Creekcreek
  • Big Horse Creek near Lansing, Ashe CountyCatch and Release, flies and lures, Delayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • Big Horse Creek near Lansing, Ashe County, 1.1 miWild Trout
  • Big Laurel Creek near Hot Springs, Madison CountyDelayed Harvest
  • Big Laurel Creek near Lansing, Ashe CountyHatchery Supported
  • Big Laurel Creek near Lansing, Ashe County, 1.2 miWild Trout
  • Big Laurel Creek near Mars Hill, Madison CountyHatchery Supported
  • Big Pine Creek, Alleghany CountyHatchery Supported
  • Big Pine Creek, Madison CountyHatchery Supported
  • Big Rock CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Big Swampswamp
  • Black Riverriver
  • Bledsoe CreekHatchery Supported
  • Blood RiverWild Trout
  • Blounts Creekcreek
  • Boone Fork PondHatchery Supported
  • Brice Creekcreek
  • Broad Riverriver
  • Brush CreekHatchery Supported
  • Buck CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Buckeye Creek, Avery CountyHatchery Supported
  • Buckeye Creek, Haywood CountyWild Trout
  • Buckeye Creek, Macon CountyWild Trout
  • Bucks Timber CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Buffalo Creek near Jefferson, Ashe CountyHatchery Supported
  • Buffalo Creek near West Jefferson, Ashe CountyWild Trout
  • Buffalo Creek, Caldwell CountyHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Burningtown Creek near Franklin, Macon CountyHatchery Supported
  • Burningtown Creek near Franklin, Macon County, 1.7 miWild Trout

C

  • Cane Creek, Buncombe CountyHatchery Supported
  • Cane Creek, Henderson CountyHatchery Supported
  • Cane Creek, Macon CountyWild Trout
  • Cane Creek, McDowell CountyWild Trout
  • Cane Creek, Mitchell CountyDelayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • Cane River near Burnsville, Yancey CountyHatchery Supported
  • Cane River near Burnsville, Yancey County, 0.6 miDelayed Harvest
  • Caney Bottom CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Cape Fear Riverriver
  • Carroll CreekHatchery Supported
  • Carter CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Cartoogechaye CreekHatchery Supported
  • Cary Flat BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures and Wild Trout
  • Cashie Riverriver
  • Catawba RiverDelayed Harvest, Hatchery Supported, Special Regulation and Wild Trout
  • Chattooga RiverWild Trout
  • Cheoah Riverriver
  • Chowan Riverriver
  • Chute BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Clear CreekHatchery Supported
  • Coleman RiverWild Trout
  • Conaby Creekcreek
  • Connelly CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Contentnea Creekcreek
  • Coontree CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Cove Creek, Transylvania CountyCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Cove Creek, Watauga CountyHatchery Supported
  • Cranberry CreekHatchery Supported
  • Crusher BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures and Wild Trout
  • Cub CreekHatchery Supported
  • Cullasaja RiverHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Cullowhee CreekHatchery Supported
  • Curtis CreekDelayed Harvest and Wild Trout

D

  • Dan RiverHatchery Supported
  • Daniel Ridge CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Dark Ridge CreekHatchery Supported
  • Darnell CreekHatchery Supported
  • Davidson RiverCatch and Release, flies and lures, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Davis CreekHatchery Supported
  • Dawson Creekcreek
  • Deep CreekHatchery Supported
  • Deep Riverriver
  • Dillingham CreekHatchery Supported
  • Dutch CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout

E

  • East Fork Chattooga RiverWild Trout
  • East Fork French Broad River near Rosman, Transylvania CountyWild Trout
  • East Fork French Broad River near Rosman, Transylvania County, 2 miDelayed Harvest
  • East Fork Grassy CreekHatchery Supported
  • East Fork Pigeon RiverWild Trout
  • East Prong Roaring RiverDelayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • Elk Creek, Watauga CountyDelayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • Elk Creek, Wilkes CountyDelayed Harvest
  • Elk River near Banner Elk, Avery CountyCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Elk River near Elk Park, Avery CountyHatchery Supported

F

  • Fall CreekHatchery Supported
  • Fires CreekDelayed Harvest, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • First Broad Riverriver
  • Fisher Riverriver
  • Fisher River (Cooper Creek)Hatchery Supported
  • Flat CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Flat Land BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • French Broad RiverHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Frolictown CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures

G

  • Goldspring BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Grassy CreekHatchery Supported
  • Grassy Knob BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Green RiverDelayed Harvest, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Greenland CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Greens Creek, Jackson CountyHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Greens Creek, Pamlico Countycreek

H

  • Halls Creekcreek
  • Hancock Creekcreek
  • Harris CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures and Wild Trout
  • He CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Helton CreekDelayed Harvest
  • Hemphill CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Henry ForkCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Hiwassee Riverriver
  • Holly Shelter Creekcreek
  • Honeycamp BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Horse BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Horsepasture RiverWild Trout
  • Hyatt CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout

I

  • Ivy CreekHatchery Supported

J

  • Jacob ForkDelayed Harvest and Wild Trout
  • Joes CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Johns RiverWild Trout
  • Jonathans CreekHatchery Supported
  • Junaluska Creek near Andrews, Cherokee CountyHatchery Supported
  • Junaluska Creek near Andrews, Cherokee County, 0.6 miWild Trout

L

  • Lanning BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Laurel Creek near Beech Mountain, Watauga CountyHatchery Supported
  • Laurel Creek near Blowing Rock, Watauga CountyCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Laurel ForkCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Laurel Log BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Laurel Mountain BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures and Wild Trout
  • Left Prong Newberry CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Left Prong South Toe RiverCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Linn Cove BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Linville River near Crossnore, Burke CountyWild Trout
  • Linville River near Glen Alpine, Burke CountyHatchery Supported
  • Linville River, Avery CountyHatchery Supported
  • Little Buck CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Little East Fork Pigeon River near Waynesville, Haywood CountyWild Trout
  • Little East Fork Pigeon River near Waynesville, Haywood County, 0.4 miWild Trout
  • Little First Broad RiverWild Trout
  • Little Fisher RiverHatchery Supported
  • Little Green CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Little Ivy CreekHatchery Supported
  • Little Laurel CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Little Lost Cove CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Little River, Alleghany CountyHatchery Supported
  • Little River, Burke CountyWild Trout
  • Little River, Montgomery Countyriver
  • Little River, Transylvania CountyDelayed Harvest and Wild Trout
  • Little Tennessee Riverriver
  • Little Wilson CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Long BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Lost Cove CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Lovills CreekHatchery Supported
  • Lumber Riverriver

M

  • Meadow Fork, Alleghany CountyHatchery Supported
  • Meadow Fork, Madison CountyHatchery Supported
  • Meat Camp CreekHatchery Supported
  • Meherrin Riverriver
  • Middle Fork French Broad RiverHatchery Supported
  • Middle Fork Reddies RiverHatchery Supported
  • Middle Fork South Fork New RiverHatchery Supported
  • Middle Fork Upper CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Middle Prong Roaring RiverHatchery Supported
  • Middle Prong West Fork Pigeon RiverWild Trout
  • Mill Creek, Clay CountyWild Trout
  • Mill Creek, Henderson CountyWild Trout
  • Mill Creek, McDowell CountyDelayed Harvest and Wild Trout
  • Mill Timber CreekHatchery Supported
  • Mitchell RiverDelayed Harvest

N

  • Nantahala RiverDelayed Harvest, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Nathans CreekHatchery Supported
  • Neuse Riverriver
  • New River, Alleghany Countyriver
  • New River, Onslow Countyriver
  • Newberry CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Newport Riverriver
  • Nolichucky Riverriver
  • Norris ForkHatchery Supported
  • North Fork Catawba RiverHatchery Supported
  • North Fork French Broad RiverWild Trout
  • North Fork Mills RiverDelayed Harvest and Wild Trout
  • North Fork New RiverHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • North Fork Reddies RiverHatchery Supported
  • North Pacolet RiverHatchery Supported
  • North Riverriver
  • North Toe RiverDelayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • Northeast Cape Fear Riverriver
  • Northwest Riverriver
  • Nottely Riverriver

O

  • Old Fields CreekHatchery Supported

P

  • Pamlico Riverriver
  • Pantego Creekcreek
  • Panther Creek near Andrews, Graham CountyWild Trout
  • Panther Creek near Bryson City, Graham CountyHatchery Supported
  • Panthertown CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Pasquotank Riverriver
  • Pauls CreekHatchery Supported
  • Peach Orchard CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Peak CreekHatchery Supported
  • Pee Dee Riverriver
  • Perquimans Riverriver
  • Pigeon RiverHatchery Supported
  • Pike CreekHatchery Supported
  • Pine Swamp CreekHatchery Supported
  • Piney ForkHatchery Supported
  • Pond CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Prathers CreekHatchery Supported
  • Price CreekHatchery Supported
  • Puncheon ForkHatchery Supported
  • Pungo Riverriver

R

  • Reddies RiverDelayed Harvest
  • Reems CreekHatchery Supported
  • Rice Creekcreek
  • Richland Creek, Haywood CountyHatchery Supported
  • Richland Creek, Transylvania CountyWild Trout
  • Right Fork Davidson RiverCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Right Hand Prong West Fork Pigeon RiverWild Trout
  • Right Prong South Toe RiverCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Roan CreekHatchery Supported
  • Roanoke Riverriver
  • Roaring ForkHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Rockhouse CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Roten CreekHatchery Supported

S

  • Salters Creekcreek
  • Santeetlah CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Sassafras CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Savannah CreekHatchery Supported
  • Scott CreekHatchery Supported
  • Scuppernong Riverriver
  • Searcy CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Shelton Laurel CreekDelayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • Shuck Ridge CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Shuler CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Shut-In CreekHatchery Supported
  • Shut-in BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Slickrock BranchHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Smith Creekcreek
  • South Creekcreek
  • South Fork Mills RiverWild Trout
  • South Fork New RiverDelayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • South Fork Reddies RiverHatchery Supported
  • South Fork Upper CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • South Prong Lewis ForkHatchery Supported
  • South Riverriver
  • South Toe RiverCatch and Release, flies and lures, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • South Yadkin Riverriver
  • Southwest Prong Slocum Creekcreek
  • Spillcorn CreekHatchery Supported
  • Spring Creek near Hot Springs, Madison CountyHatchery Supported
  • Spring Creek near Hot Springs, Madison County, 1.7 miDelayed Harvest
  • Spring Creek, Mitchell CountyWild Trout
  • Squirrel CreekHatchery Supported
  • Stack Rock CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Stecoah CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Stillwater BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Stone Mountain CreekDelayed Harvest and Wild Trout
  • Stony CreekHatchery Supported
  • Stony ForkHatchery Supported
  • Swannanoa RiverHatchery Supported
  • Swift Creekcreek

T

  • Tallulah RiverWild Trout
  • Tar Riverriver
  • Taylor Creekcreek
  • Tellico RiverWild Trout
  • Thompson RiverWild Trout
  • Three Top CreekHatchery Supported
  • Toxaway RiverWild Trout
  • Tranters Creekcreek
  • Trent Riverriver
  • Tuckasegee RiverCatch and Release, flies and lures, Delayed Harvest, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • Tull Creekcreek
  • Tulula Creek near Robbinsville, Graham CountyHatchery Supported
  • Tulula Creek near Robbinsville, Graham County, 1.1 miWild Trout
  • Turkey BranchCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Tusquitee Creek near Hayesville, Clay CountyHatchery Supported
  • Tusquitee Creek near Hayesville, Clay County, 0.7 miWild Trout

U

  • Upper Broad Creekcreek
  • Upper CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • Uwharrie Riverriver

V

  • Valley River near Murphy, Cherokee CountyHatchery Supported
  • Valley River near Robbinsville, Cherokee CountyWild Trout

W

  • Waccamaw Riverriver
  • Watauga River near Beech Mountain, Watauga CountyDelayed Harvest
  • Watauga River near Seven Devils, Watauga CountyDelayed Harvest
  • Waterfall CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures
  • West Buffalo CreekHatchery Supported
  • West Fork French Broad River near Rosman, Transylvania CountyHatchery Supported
  • West Fork French Broad River near Rosman, Transylvania County, 3.7 miWild Trout
  • West Fork Pigeon River near Waynesville, Haywood CountyDelayed Harvest, Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • West Fork Pigeon River near Waynesville, Haywood County, 0.5 miWild Trout
  • West Fork Shut-In CreekHatchery Supported and Wild Trout
  • West Fork Tuckasegee Riverriver
  • West Prong Roaring RiverWild Trout
  • White Oak Riverriver
  • Whitewater RiverWild Trout
  • Wiccacon Riverriver
  • Wilson CreekCatch and Release, flies and lures, Delayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported
  • Wolf Creek LakeHatchery Supported

Y

  • Yadkin RiverHatchery Supported
  • Yellow Creek near Fontana Dam, Graham CountyHatchery Supported
  • Yellow Creek near Fontana Dam, Graham County, 0.8 miWild Trout
Pictures

North Carolina waters, pictured

Madison, North Carolina
Madison
Photo: Willthacheerleader18, CC BY-SA 4.0
Maxton, North Carolina
Maxton
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Mayodan, North Carolina
Mayodan
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
McDonald, North Carolina
McDonald
Photo: Gerry D, CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers

About this list, North Carolina Rivers and Trout Streams

How many North Carolina streams have a page?

319.

Are trout streams marked?

Yes, with each NCWRC class on the stream.

Are the stream flows live?

USGS gauge readings refresh on the site every hour.

Where are the smaller wild trout creeks?

On county pages and the mountain trout waters page.

Which rivers turn coastal?

Pages for the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Cape Fear, Roanoke and other coastal rivers show inland, joint and coastal shares.

Which records list the launches?

NCWRC access areas, USACE, USFS and OpenStreetMap.

Are stocking dates shown?

Yes, from the live NCWRC trout report.

Why are some streams missing?

Only streams with a launch, gauge, stocking, rule or a non-wild trout class get a page.

More

Other North Carolina reference pages