Book Your Fishing Charter in Durham, NC

Deep in the heart of the Piedmont region lies Durham’s vibrant and youthful city. It’s part of the famous Research Triangle along with the towns of Cary and Raleigh and is considered the prime health research center in the country. In recent years, Durham has become the next place to be — a compact city with a thriving food and culture scene, a friendly college atmosphere, and pockets of green spaces for everyone to enjoy and have a great time.

Durham was historically a tobacco industry center before pivoting into one of the country’s best university regions. This is all thanks to Duke University and North Carolina Central University, two educational institutions that consistently rank top in their respective fields.

A highlight of a trip to Durham is its parks and recreational areas where residents and visitors can enjoy the great outdoors during summer or weekends, even without leaving the city limits. Many of these parks are also excellent fishing destinations, perfect for visiting anglers who want to experience fishing while still enjoying the modern perks and things associated with a bustling city.

Durham Fishing: Productive Fishing in a Hip and Laid-back City

Whether or not you’re in Durham specifically for a fishing trip, you will be pleased to find that this urban city has some of the best fishery on this side of North Carolina.

Head to the Eno River State Park when fishing in Durham. The Eno River flows through the northern part of the city and is a major tributary of the Neuse River. You can access a huge part of the river within the park, which has slow-moving streams and fast-moving ripples in turn. It lends itself particularly well to fly fishing. The river has over 60 fish species, but the most commonly caught are bull chub, bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish, bullhead chub, largemouth bass, and black crappie. The Eno River is one of the few rivers to have Roanoke bass, a sunfish species endemic only to Virginia and North Carolina. You can fish the river on a boat, kayak, or canoe, though they may be a little challenging at times because of the shallow water. Other activities you can enjoy in the park include hiking and picnicking. If you wish to picnic, you need to reserve a shelter at the park. Make sure to do so with the park's customer service. There are shelters available for clients on a first-come, first-served basis, but the park highly advises making reservations.

The Eno River State Park management administers the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. It offers two more fishing ponds which are great spots to practice fishing with a view of the mountains. If you're a beginner, check out the Tackler Loaner Program where you can borrow a fishing rod and tackle for free.

Durham has several productive largemouth bass fishing spots. One of them is Little River Lake which regularly yields 10-pound bass. On the outskirts of Durham, you’ll find Lake Michie Recreation Area. This ADA-accessible park is where you can fish for largemouth bass along with channel catfish, flathead catfish, mud catfish, blue catfish, bull catfish, chain pickerel, and longnose gar. Falls Lake State Recreation Area is another Durham outskirts spot known for its largemouth bass fishery. Aside from its healthy largemouth bass population, the lake is home to catfish, white bass, striped bass, white perch, crappie, bluegill, and chain pickerel.

Durham has excellent weather all year round, so you can expect productive fishing any time you visit. Early spring is trophy largemouth bass season, while summer is peak for other bass species as well as catfish, crappie, and sunfish. To maximize your time in the city, phone ahead and book the expertise of a fishing guide or a fishing charter. A fly fishing guide service may come in handy if you're planning to fish the shallows of the Eno River. Make sure to procure a fishing license and check fishing reports before heading out.

Enjoy a Fun and Educational Tour of Durham

1. Find a Museum for Your Interest 

Durham has unique museums for a wide range of interests. Science nerds will love the Museum of Life + Science. Animal lovers will fall in love with Duke Lemur Center, the largest lemur sanctuary in the world. And art-lovers will enjoy browsing through the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, which houses more than 10,000 artworks from a wide range of eras, from antiquity to the present day.

2. Discover Durham’s Unique History

Learn more about Durham by visiting historic landmarks like the Tobacco Historic District and the Stagville State Historic Site. The Tobacco Historic District is home to structures dating back to the mid-1800s when Durham was a tobacco capital. At the same time, Stagville State Historic Site is an eye-opening museum dedicated to educating its visitors about the lives of enslaved people on the plantation.