North Carolina towns
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Fishing near Raleigh, North Carolina
Wake County, population 467,665.
- 2 milesto nearest lake
- 10ramps nearby
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Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh angler notes
Raleigh lies in Wake County; its 2020 count was 467,665. Shelley Lake is the nearest lake page, roughly 2 miles northwest. The closest ramp page is Lake Raleigh, 5 miles away.
2 milesto Shelley Lake
10ramp pages within 15 mi
0trout streams within 30 mi
8shops within 15 mi
Lakes
Reservoirs and ponds by Raleigh
- Shelley Lake2 miles northwest, 32 acres
- Lake Raleigh5 miles southwest, 88.1 acres
- Lake Johnson6 miles southwest, 147.5 acres
- Lake Crabree County Park9 miles west
- Lake Wheeler10 miles southwest, 560 acres
- Bond Lake11 miles west, 80 acres
Species within reach of Raleigh
| Species | Nearby lakes |
|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 3 |
| Largemouth bass | 1 |
Map
Access near Raleigh on a map
- Lake RaleighLake Raleigh, 5 miles
- Lake Johnson ParkLake Johnson, 6 miles
- Lake Crabtree County ParkLake Crabree County Park, 8 miles
- Lake Wheeler ParkSimpkins Pond / Lake Wheeler, 10 miles
- Upper Bartons CreekFalls Lake, 10 miles
- Bw Wells Boat RampFalls Lake, 11 miles
- Fred G Bond Metro ParkBond Park Pond, 11 miles
- Apex Community ParkPine Lake, 11 miles
- Holly Point Boat RampFalls Lake, 12 miles
- Rollingview Marina Boat RampFalls Lake, 13 miles
Straight line distances from the Census point for Raleigh.
Flow
USGS sites near Raleigh
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Crabtree Creek At Anderson Drive At Raleigh, Nc | 3.49 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:25 pm |
| Crabtree Cr At Old Wake Forest Rd At Raleigh, Nc | 2.30 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:25 pm |
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh, Nc | 175 cfs, 6.25 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:25 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 5:35 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Local help
Guides based in Raleigh
Bait counters nearest Raleigh
- Hill's Sporting Goods Incsporting goods store, Raleigh, 2 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Raleigh, 4601 Glenwood Avesporting goods store, Raleigh, 2 miles
- Apex Outfitter & Board Co.sporting goods store, Wake, 4 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Raleigh, 3630 Sumner Blvdsporting goods store, Raleigh, 4 miles
- Carolina Outdoor Sportsmansporting goods store, Raleigh, 5 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Carysporting goods store, Cary, 7 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Carysporting goods store, Cary, 7 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Knightdalesporting goods store, Knightdale, 8 miles
Stocking
NCWRC stocking near Raleigh
| Lake | Distance | 2026 stocking |
|---|---|---|
| Shelley Lake | 2 miles | 3,000 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Lake Wheeler | 10 miles | 3,200 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Bond Lake | 11 miles | 4,000 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Apex Community Lake | 11 miles | 4,000 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Bass Lake | 16 miles | 4,500 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Jordan Lake | 22 miles | 120,000 1-2 in bodie bass |
NCWRC 2026 stocking lists.
Limits
Rules on waters near Raleigh
| 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 2026-27 inland regulations; rows chosen by the town position against I-95 and I-77.
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Just around Raleigh
Towns encircling Raleigh
- Knightdale9 miles
- Garner10 miles
- Cary11 miles
- Morrisville11 miles
Counties that share Raleigh
- Wake Countyseat: Raleigh
Pictures
Scenes from waters by Raleigh
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States, CC0 1.0
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Photo: MadeYourReadThis, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Rysnap1024, CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers
Fishing out of Raleigh, answered
Which lake page sits closest to Raleigh?
Shelley Lake, 2 miles northwest.
Which ramp serves boaters by Raleigh?
Head to Lake Raleigh, 5 miles out.
How far is the coast from Raleigh?
No fishing pier within 30 miles.
Which counters sell tackle in Raleigh?
Try Hill's Sporting Goods Inc.
Do any fishing guides list Raleigh?
Our listings carry nobody for Raleigh.
Which county contains Raleigh?
Wake County, which has its own page.
Which trout stream is closest to Raleigh?
Not within 30 miles.
Which river page sits nearest Raleigh?
The nearest river page is past 30 miles.
How much is a 10-day license near Raleigh?
Nonresidents 16 and up can buy a 10-day inland license for $29 or a 10-day coastal license for $15.