Give Hatchery Supported Streams a Try
Most trout anglers are familiar with the NC Wildlife Commission’s “Delayed Harvest” and “Wild” trout fishing programs, and many split their time between these two management types. However, streams managed by the NC Wildlife Commission as “Hatchery Supported” streams are often overlooked by these same anglers. There are several Hatchery Supported streams in northwest NC that hold good numbers of wild trout. As a result, anglers fishing these streams have the opportunity to catch the same fish they might catch in a Delayed Harvest stream (i.e. hatchery reared trout), as well as the opportunity to catch wild trout.
As a general rule, the NC Wildlife Commission does not stock on top of healthy wild trout populations. However, there are a few exceptions. The streams mentioned in this article have been managed as Hatchery Supported for many years, and continue to be stocked because they are popular with Hatchery Supported anglers and have good public access. While it is true that most Hatchery Supported streams hold few if any wild trout, the lack of wild trout in Hatchery Supported streams is primarily a function of poor habitat rather than fishing regulations/practices. Even though these streams may be fished using bait and treble hooks, and up to seven trout a day may be kept, the wild trout populations continue to do quite well. As a result, whether you like to fly fish, spinner fish, or bait fish, you can have a great day of fishing.
Here’s a list of Hatchery Supported streams in northwest NC I’d suggest anglers try.
Beech Creek – Watauga Co.
Laurel Creek – Watauga Co.
Howards Creek – Watauga Co.
Meat Camp Creek – Watauga Co.
Middle Fork New River – Watauga Co.
North Fork New River- primarily the headwaters in Watauga Co.
You can view the location of these streams by checking out the Watauga County section of the “Trout Maps” http://www.ncwildlife.org/pg03_Fishing/watauga.pdf provided by the NC Wildlife Commission http://www.ncwildlife.org. The Trout Maps along with a NC gazetteer will probably provide all the information you need to find these streams. However, feel free to contact me directly for detailed directions or more information.
Two very important notes: - (1)Many streams open for public trout fishing are located on private lands, and this includes practically all of the streams in northwest NC. Fishing is allowed on these streams because landowners have generously provided access to the public for fishing. Show your appreciation to these landowners by removing your trash and being respectful of their property. Failure to do so could result in the closure of these streams in the future. Finally, when in doubt, be sure to ask permission before fishing.
(2)All “Hatchery Supported” streams and stream segments are closed to fishing from March 1st until the first Saturday in April. As many of you well know, Hatchery Supported streams are often crowded the first Saturday in April (opening day). However, you may well have the stream all to yourself other times of the year.
Best of luck!
Kevin
Kevin Hining
Fisheries Biologist
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Posted by Busta Brown on March 17, 2009.
