Fayetteville, NC Fishing: Got It All For You

Known as America's Hometown, Fayetteville is the county seat of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and is the home of Fort Bragg, which is the backbone of the county's economy. It is located in the Sandhills in the western part of the Coastal Plain region, on the Cape Fear River. Estimated to have more than a half-million population, Fayetteville is the fifth largest place in the state, and its metropolitan area is the largest in southeastern North Carolina.

Historically, present-day Fayetteville was where various indigenous peoples lived, such as the Eno, Shakori, Waccamaw, Keyauwee, and Cape Fear people. Due to the violent upheavals during the 18th century and to secure water access to trading, the colonial government of North Carolina encouraged colonial settlement along the Cape Fear River. Thus, two settlements were established, namely: Cross Creek and Campbellton. Later on, these two settlements merged, and the new town was incorporated as Fayetteville. In honor of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a French military man who aided the American forces during the war, was done. 

Today, Fayetteville is one of the best retail markets in the country and provides its residents with a dense suburban feel. Fayetteville may be a bustling metropolitan place, but it also has plenty to offer when it comes to hunting and fishing. Experience fishing in the Cape Fear River and capture several bass, catfish, and sunfish species.

Fayetteville Fishing

Fayetteville has everything you'd expect and need from a big city, museums, botanical gardens, shops, restaurants, healthcare, and entertainment. Don't let its size intimidate you, though. While it is a city thriving with commerce, it is also rich in natural wonders that evoke a warm feeling akin to small-town familiarity and belonging. This makes Fayetteville an excellent place for visitors and anglers like you, whether you intend to stay here for a couple of hours or multiple days.

Cumberland County requires anglers to have a current fishing permit before utilizing public fishing locations within the county. In addition, first-time hunting license buyers must have completed a free Hunter Education Course. For more information on the licenses and the fishing course, you may contact the NC Wildlife Resources Commission at (919) 707-0031 or at www.ncwildlife.org.

Now that you have your fishing license, the next task on your to-do list is to decide on a fishing location. You're in luck because you have plenty of spots to choose from in Fayetteville, whatever kind of angler you may be.

First are the Campbellton Landing and Fayetteville Boating Access Area, which overlook and are connected by the Cape Fear River. Here, you can catch largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, American shad, catfish, and sunfish. North Carolina catches more bass in December, January, and February than other states. They are caught by trolling, casting, or jigging with artificial baits or floating or bottom fishing with natural lures. Meanwhile, shad are most visible from March through August and are caught by slow trolling or drift casting. As for catfish, the best months to fish are April, May, September, and October, using trolling. Sunfish are most abundant from June to November. During the summer, fishing during the morning and evening is highly recommended. While during the fall, the best time is in the middle of the day.

Next is the Glenville Lake Pier at Milton E. Mazarick Park, where you can catch bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and redear sunfish. The best months to catch bluegills in this area are March, April, May, and June. Note that in Glenville Lake Pier, netting of any fish is prohibited. Only pier-fishing and pole-and-line fishing are allowed.

Hope Mills Lake is also another good spot for fishing. Aside from that, it is also open to swimming and kayaking. You can catch catfish, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, bream, eel, and crappie here. September, October, and November are good months to catch chain pickerel using spinners, spoons, jigs, and various crankbaits. For bream, May and June are the best time to catch them using good oily baits like pilchards strips of bonito, the good old mullet. Meanwhile, March through May sees a great yield of crappie caught on various fishing equipment, including cane poles, spinning and baitcasting outfits, fly fishing rods, and ice fishing gear.

Located on Raeford Road is Lake Rim Public Fishing Access Area, where you can catch largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish. This fishing area, which is attached to Lake Rim's reservoir, has a boat ramp. The most common fishing equipment used here is adaptive fishing gear and loaner fishing tackle.

For anglers and families who wish to introduce their kids to fishing at a young age, McFayden Lake is the place for you. It is a youth-only lake, and their parents or guardians must accompany those 15 years or under. Here, anglers can catch bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish.

Big Muddy Lake is located within Fort Bragg. Here, anglers can catch bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, flier, pickerels, and bullheads. Other lakes within the same area where people can fish are Boundary Line Lake, Dear Pen Lake, Holland Lake, Hurley Lake, Keist Lake, Little Muddy Lake, Lower McKellers Lake, Mossgeill Lake, McArthur Lake, Quail Lake, Simmons Lake, Smith Lake, Texas Lake, and Wyatt Lake. You can catch various channel catfish, bass, bluegill, and warmouth in these lakes.

Top 10 Fish Species in Fayetteville, NC

The top 10 fish species in Fayetteville, NC, are largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie, blue catfish, chain pickerel, spotted bass, bowfin, pumpkinseed, and warmouth.

Seasonal Fishing

Due to its plenty of waterways, fishing is possible in Fayetteville all year round. However, March through November is the best and most pleasant month to fish here.

Anglers can expect to catch plenty of bluegills, channel catfish, and crappie in the lesser cold months. As for the colder months of December, January, and February, the said months see great yields of various bass. These make Fayetteville a dream destination for beginners, bass lovers, and tourists alike.

Witness the Flair of Fayetteville

 1. Book a Fishing Charter

 Give yourself a memorable fishing experience sans the hassle! Enjoy fishing in the waters of Fayetteville by booking a private charter and having a licensed guide accompany you.

 2. Visit the 1897 Poe House

Join a tour of the 1987 Poe House and glimpse the life of one of Fayetteville's most affluent families; it was built in 1897 and was the home of the Poe family. Mr. E.A. Poe was a local businessman and owner of the Poe Brick Company. In this tour, guests will learn about the first few decades of the twentieth century and witness the era-defining changes during the said period. The tour will highlight African-American history and the role that women and children played in the technological advancements and social changes in North Carolina during this era.

 3. Hike on the Cape Fear River Trail

See the river that defined much of Fayetteville's history and cemented it as a resource hub in North Carolina up close. This trail features a 10-foot wide paved path and winds for nearly 5.5 miles. Throughout, walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and other guests will be treated to the spectacular views of the river, a beautiful blend of trees and wildlife.