https://perfectflystore.com/your-streams/fly-fishing-the-nantahala-river-in-north-carolina/ Nantahala's shoreline is dotted with private homes and cabins, yet much of the shoreline is managed by the US Forest Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission protecting the lake from commercialization and preserving its beauty. To find Nantahala Lake enter the 35.199535 latitude, and -83.652115 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or smart phone. The Upper Nantahala offers a consistent flow and is arguably one of the most scenic mountain rivers in the nation with its many cascades and waterfalls. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including bass, walleye, catfish, trout and panfish. I have marked large bait balls in the lake. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A Dam-controlled River Nantahala Dam was completed in 1942 creating a reservoir that was critical to the success of defense projects for World War II. Fishing in Lake Nantahala offers something for everyone whether its Targeting largemouth bass during spawning season or chasing trout during colder months. Directions. | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |. Also, dont forget that we mentioned that hatchery-supported waters are closed during March for their operations to take place. Nantahala Lakeis located high above the Nantahala River Gorge at a 3,000-foot elevation - a pristine and serene lake with just 30 miles of shoreline. Nantahala Lake is located high above the Nantahala River Gorge at a 3,000-foot elevationa pristine and serene lake with just 30 miles of shoreline. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including bass, walleye, catfish, trout and panfish. We recommend this stretch of the Nantahala River to the entire family and especially those who fly fish. Fishing in Lake Nantahala is best done with spinning or baitcasting gear. Orange-white is good at times, but all-white is not so good., verb. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. From March thru October, Duke Energy schedules its power generation operations to provide flow releases for the Lower Nantahala's rafting and kayaking activities. The state government stock the lake heavily with rainbow trout in fall and . Whether traveling with an RV or tent, Standing Indian Campground is a prime place to stop for a night or spend several days in the picturesque Nantahala National Forest. HOW COLD IS THE RIVER? Because Kokanee arent surface feeders, Swann said the most-effective method of fishing for them is slow-trolling After locating schooling Kokanee with his fish-finder, Swann uses a downrigger to position his rig among the fish. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Lake Nantahala is only drawn down a fraction of that and usually is within 10%-15% of full pool except three months in the Winter. 843-683-3474, Nantahala is the South's only lake with freshwater Salmon. At 3,035 feet, Nantahala has the second highest lake surface elevation east of the Misissippi. The Nantahala River is a dam-controlled river. Nantahala Community The Dreamy Yurts At Lake Nantahala Are In An Idyllic Setting, Making Them An ideal Summer Destination In North Carolina. In Lake Nantahala, you'll have the opportunity to catch trout, bass and catfish in the clear water of the lake. Fishing for spring-run salmon often peaks from June through August, and fishing for fall-run salmon can be excellent from August through November. In fact, the Nantahala River is listed in Trout Unlimited's Guide to America's 100 Best Trout Streams. Pristine waters, with over 80% of the. Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce 899-224-7238. Nelson's Nantahala Hideaway Campground is one of the best-equipped campgrounds in Nantahala National Forest. https://www.visitnantahalanc.com/lake.html This pristine lake sits at a 3,000-foot elevation and has 30 miles of shoreline. The stream is stocked from March through August, providing plenty of fish for the catch-and-release season and the catch-and-keep season. Nantahala Lake is one of the most pristine lakes in North Carolina. Get directions to fishing access points and real-time stream flow data with theDIY Fly Fishing Map. Lake Washington is one of the most popular fishing spots in the Seattle area. Discover 500 vacation rentals to book online for your Nantahala Lake, Topton trip. Fishing on Lake Nantahala is excellent. Annual Fee $38 Like many anglers in the area, Smith, who is from Mills River in Henderson County, knew that kokanee salmon are found in North Carolina only in Nantahala Lake , having been stocked in the mid-1960s by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission in an attempt to establish the species as a forage fish. The record-breaking catch weighed in at 3 lbs and 9 oz. RV hookups: No. At 3000 feet elevation, Nantahala Lake is the second highest lake in the eastern US a crystal clear lake with boating, fishing and natural beauty. It has Lake Salmon, Rainbows, Brown, Walleyes, Small mouth and Largemouth. Stocked in Nantahala Lake in the early 1960's as forage for the predator population of Walleye, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, the salmon have been naturally reproducing ever since. The lake has a good population of largemouth, smallmouth, walleye, yellow perch, sunfish, kokanee salmon, and lake trout. And it's the only lake in the South with a population of freshwater Kokanee Salmon. View Map. Nantahala Lake Fishing Guide At 3,035 feet, Nantahala has the second highest lake surface elevation east of the Misissippi. Can You Fish In Black Canyon Of The Gunnison? The lake was created in 1942 by Nantahala Power to provide electricity for war efforts. Tsali Campground. CHEROKEE LAKE On Cherokee Lake. Bring your canoe, boat, kayak, or favorite watercraft and head onto the Nantahala Lake and enjoy the mostly undeveloped shoreline that is owned by the National Forest Service. Enjoy eight miles of crystal clear water and constant waves that make the Nantahala River a delight for all ages and groups. Directions, Rocky Branch Boat Ramp Andiamo: Meaning lets go / we go / come on in Italian, Andiamo remains in the, Boat Winterizing Truth or Myth? There is a population of kokanee salmon that reach over three pounds. 828-321-5630, Fred Mix The pristine beauty of the lake and clean nature of the water make it a site of exceptional natural splendor for visitors to the area and lake residents. Ready to head out on the lake for a day of angling? Nantahala has large amount of rainbow in most of its parts available for anglers. Excellent trout fishing can be found in most parts of this river including the headwaters above Nantahala Lake, the Upper Nantahala below the confluence with Whiteoak Creek, and the Lower Nantahala down through the Nantahala Gorge. https://www.middletennesseeflyfishers.org/nantahala-river.html Nearby Lakes. During this time, anglers can often find success using soft plastics or topwater lures around structure such as rock piles or weed beds. Nantahala was constructed in 1942 and is one of our many earthen dams. However, salmon is not the only attraction for anglers here. Dale is a retired Park Ranger, and worked for 13 years for the National Park Service in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a certified boating instructor and a Wildlife Technician. North Carolina Lakes Lake Nantahala 828-524-3161, Situated near the sleepy community of Topton, NC, this campground offers RV and tent sites, as well as bunkhouses and cabins for luxury getaways. 828 557-0408if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aa_fishing_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-leader-1-0'); Nantahala Lake Boat Ramp Big largemouth and smallmouth rule these waters and can be caught shallow and deep! Launch: Nantahala Lake Public Access. This area is well-known for its many fly fishing streams and trout fishing. Lake Nantahala also provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing during the colder months from late fall through early spring. Franklin, North Carolina 28734 The Nantahala River is one that is famous for its whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. Canoe and kayak fishing are popular here and there is thirty miles of shoreline, some of which can be accessed for shoreline fishing. Can You Keep Fish On The Fryingpan River? Fly fishing is also an option for those who prefer it, although you may have more success on the smaller panfish with this method. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Locate some weed beds in the lake your fishing in and try getting your bait and/or lure in that area to see if you can coax a fish to bite. It has a wide variety of fish, ranging from largemouth bass to crappie, walleye, and sunfish. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The USGS stream gauge near Hewitt, NC provide a good indication of current conditions. In addition to the kokanee salmon, anglers can catch trout, bass and crappie among other species. The area from White Oak Creek that runs to Powerhouse falls is part of the Delayed Harvest regulations of the state. But because this is where most of the rafting and kayaking activity occurs, the Lower Nantahala is the only stream in the state where night fishing is allowed. It is stocked regularly by the NC Fisheries Department. Best season: Spring, summer, fall. Nantahala Community The area around the Nantahala Gorge provides ample fishing opportunities whether it be bass fishing on scenic Fontana Lake and Nantahala Lake or fly-fishing for trout on the premier streams of the Great Smokies. Franklin NC Chamber of CommerceSite map. Fishing is also popular - largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout, salmon, catfish and many different species of pan fish are found here. We will call this lake fishing 101. For shoreline fishing, try live bait, such as night crawlers, crickets, and minnows. The Upper Nantahala's flow is completely separate and is unaffected by Duke Energy's releases. Bait & Tackle: NEARBY Be sure to check the stream conditions before heading out to fish the Nantahala River. A trip to Nantahala Lake includes a plethora of other things to do. The lake was created in 1942 by Nantahala Power to provide electricity for war efforts. It is a beautiful lake that is surrounded by towering mountains, with crystal clear waters and plenty of fish. 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