Smallies in NC...?

[Rebel Angler]

Hey guys I was wondering if anybody knows of some good places to fish for smallies in NC? I live in Winston-Salem an go to school in Boone so anywhere near these 2 places would be ideal.

If possible less than like 30 minutes or so, but if you know of other locations that are farther I'd still like to know about them.

Thanks yall

[Jake.]

The Yadkin River above Winston-Salem has some. The Yadkin around Pilot Mountain is a good place to fish for Smallmouths as well as Spotted Bass. Try to fish after a long period of no rain, when the water is clearest. All of the farming irrigation in the area can really muddy up the river after rain.

The New River is one of the best Smallmouth rivers in NC and is near Boone.

[Big Al23]

I thought NC had smallies in their lakes?  :-?

[Jake.]

I thought NC had smallies in their lakes? :-?

Only in the mountains. The rest of the state's climate is too warm for Smallmouths to survive in lakes.

[Big Al23]

Thanks Jake

[cato]

I thought NC had smallies in their lakes? :-?

Only in the mountains. The rest of the state's climate is too warm for Smallmouths to survive in lakes.

Lake James has plenty of smallies. Located just Outside of Morganton. This is where I cought my very first smallie and where I've seen some nice smallies win some tournaments!

[Jake.]

I thought NC had smallies in their lakes? :-?

Only in the mountains. The rest of the state's climate is too warm for Smallmouths to survive in lakes.

Lake James has plenty of smallies. Located just Outside of Morganton. This is where I cought my very first smallie and where I've seen some nice smallies win some tournaments!

James is one of the mountain lakes that has them. I've always wanted to fish there, but haven't had the chance yet.

[rlrsurveying]

Hey guys.. I use to live in Winston Salem and I use to make that 2 hr drive to the New River and also fished Lake James as much as I could. There are a couple of places at Lake James that have boat rentals. Lqake James is one of my favorite Lakes I have ever fished on. Early spring you can load the boat but in the summer I didnt fish until dark. Beatiful place. Ive heard of people fishing the upper Yadkin River for them but I have never tried it. The scenery on Lake James and also the New River is hard to beat. Now I live in Michigan and I have a river within 500 yards of my house that is unbelievable for smallmouth. Best day on record I caught 88 in 8hrs of fishing and 12 of those were over 18 inches.