Spotted bass across North Carolina
Finding and keeping spotted bass, by North Carolina rules.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 6 lbs, 5 ozrecord
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Where spotted bass fit in North Carolina
Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) lives in North Carolina’s freshwater habitat. NCWRC sets a creel of no creel limit with no size limit where all public waters except lake chatuge.
The state record is 6 lbs, 5 oz, taken at Lake Norman in 2003. Look for it on 2 lakes and 0 streams listed here.
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“Spotted Bass are native to the mountain drainages of southwestern North Carolina and have also been introduced into W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in Wilkes County, after which they became established in the upper Yadkin River. Everyplace else in the state, any fish anglers have been catching that looks like a Spotted Bass is actually an Alabama Bass.”
“The spotted bass gets its name from the numerous dark spots that cover the lower side of its greenish, slender body, below a dark lateral line. Spotted bass have a sandpaper-like tooth patch on the tongue and the rear of the jaw does not extend behind the eye. Crayfish and immature insects make up the bulk of their diet. They also eat small fish such as bluegill.”
- Fishing tipsStrong fighters, spotted bass can be caught on a wide variety of natural and artificial baits using casting, spinning and fly-fishing gear. Look for spotted bass around aquatic vegetation, submerged logs and rock or riprap walls in small-to medium-flowing streams and rivers. While they may be found
- Where to fishIn North Carolina, spotted bass are found in several mountain reservoirs, with Lake Chatuge offering some of the best fishing. W. Kerr Scott and Hiwassee reservoirs also contain good populations of spotted bass. Spotted bass can also be caught in the upper Cape Fear River, where they co-exist with l
Quoted from the NCWRC species profile, checked October 2026.
Creel limits for spotted bass
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | All public waters except Lake Chatuge | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
North Carolina record spotted bass
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line by weight | 6 lbs, 5 oz | Lake Norman | 2003 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Where NCWRC records place spotted bass
Reservoirs for spotted bass
- Lake Norman32,510 acres
- Chatuge Lake6,700 acres
NCWRC stocking lists, regulation tables, species profiles and records; largest waters first.
Species that pair with spotted bass
- Largemouth bassfresh
- Smallmouth bassfresh
- Alabama bassfresh
- Bartram's bassfresh
- Black crappiefresh
- White crappiefresh
- Bluegillfresh
- Redear sunfishfresh
- Redbreast sunfishfresh
- Pumpkinseedfresh
- Green sunfishfresh
- Warmouthfresh
- Flierfresh
- Rock bassfresh
Places to fish near Spotted bass, pictured
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain
Photo: suttonls, CC BY 2.0
Photo: RoxylovesHistory, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Worth knowing about spotted bass
Which rules govern keeping spotted bass?
no creel limit (All public waters except Lake Chatuge), size no size limit.
Which water gave up the record spotted bass?
6 lbs, 5 oz from Lake Norman (2003).
Which waters produce spotted bass?
2 waters on this site, including Lake Norman and Chatuge Lake.
Does NCWRC stock spotted bass?
Not on this year’s list.
How do I tell spotted bass apart?
Scientific name Micropterus punctulatus.
Can spotted bass be kept this month?
No closed season
What license do spotted bass anglers buy?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Which captains list spotted bass?
None list it by name; see the guides page.
Seek out spotted bass
Pick a water from the lists on this page.