South River Fishing
Sampson County, Bladen County and Cumberland County.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Garland: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
The basics of the South River
The South River is a river in Sampson County, Bladen County and Cumberland County. GIS lines trace roughly 75 miles of it in North Carolina. Supplies are nearest in Garland, about 3 miles off.
The access list holds 2 launches.
Access on the South River
- Sloans Bridge1 lane, 20 trailer spaces, Bladen County, inland waters
- Ennis Bridge1 lane, 20 trailer spaces, Bladen County, inland waters
NCWRC Boating Access Areas, USACE, USFS and OpenStreetMap; midpoint from the NCWRC trout layer or USGS NHDPlus lines.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The South River rules
Statewide inland rows cover the South River.
| 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 |
| 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 2026-27 inland regulations. All North Carolina limits.
In reach of South River
Next reservoirs over from South River
- Boney Mill Pond23 miles
Where to buy bait by South River
- White Lake Marinamarina, Elizabethtown, 9 miles
- Tony's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Clinton, 18 miles
- Daughtry's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Clinton, 21 miles
Towns nearest South River
- Garland3 miles
- White Lake8 miles
- Harrells11 miles
- Elizabethtown15 miles
Nearby streams to the South River
- Black River11 miles
- Holly Shelter Creek35 miles
- Big Swamp36 miles
- Cape Fear River36 miles
South River county links
- Sampson County
- Bladen County
- Cumberland County
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Species to expect near South River
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: BenitoJuarez98, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey from Reston, VA, USA, CC0 1.0
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The South River in a few answers
How do I reach the South River?
Through Sampson County, Bladen County and Cumberland County.
How does NCWRC classify the South River?
No trout class applies to it.
When is the South River stocked?
NCWRC lists none for 2026.
What is the South River doing today?
There is no gauge for it.
Are there ramps on the South River?
Try Ennis Bridge, one of 2 launches.
Does the South River have a catch-and-release reach?
Statewide limits only.
Do I need a trout privilege on the South River?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Where do I stock up for the South River?
Try White Lake Marina (9 miles).
Which town is closest to the South River?
Try Garland, roughly 3 miles away.
Cast on the South River
Trout classes change by reach; read the rules first.