Monroe, NC Fishing: Downtown Fishing Adventure

Monroe in North Carolina is a vibrant and growing city that serves as Union County's administrative, commercial, industrial, and cultural hub. It is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Charlotte-Fort Mill metropolitan area and the administrative center of Union County. Monroe was first established as a planned community. The first Board of County Commissioners, chosen by the General Assembly, chose a location in the county's center as the county seat in 1843, the same year Monroe was incorporated. Monroe was named after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, from 1817 to 1825. 

Monroe becomes a commerce hub for the tobacco-growing rural areas of the Piedmont region. The place radiates 1940s vibes with its beautiful historic downtown, an impressive bell tower, and a lovely downtown district. Monroe's downtown businesses and tree-lined walkways attract visitors as the community continues to establish itself as a top family vacation spot. Monroe is a thriving and forward-thinking town. The area has plenty in store for those who come looking.

Aside from its picturesque landscapes and diverse community, Monroe is a well-established fishing location, home to quality fishing spots such as Lake Lee and Lake Monroe.

Monroe Fishing

In North Carolina, anglers may find some of the best trout, bass, and offshore fishing locations across the United States. Monroe is one of the best top fishing destinations in the state.

Lake Monroe is found in Monroe. Anglers can capture largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish, black bullhead, rock bass, pumpkinseed, and blue catfish in the area. Its neighboring lake, Lake Lee, is home to various species, such as largemouth bass, blue catfish, spotted bass, flathead catfish, bluegill, black crappie, and channel catfish. Meanwhile, Lake Twitty is an excellent lake for catfish and bass fishing. These three lakes are the top visited fishing spots in Monroe because they can be easily accessible and is open to the public. For the lakes' seasonal closures, anglers are advised to check Monroe's website. No activities are permitted on the lakes when they are closed. Since the lakes are designated for use as a drinking water source, the city council must operate them following the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's drinking water regulations.

Bearskin Creek in Monroe is 14.37 km long, a third-order tributary to Richardson Creek. The creek rises at the Monroe Airport and flows east to join Richardson Creek through Monroe. Murray cod, pumpkinseed, alligator gar, and rainbow trout are some species found in the creek. Meanwhile, Richardson Creek is a branch of the Rocky River in the south-central part of North Carolina. It rises in Union County near Monroe and flows northeast through Anson County. Anglers can capture various fish in the creek, such as largemouth bass and bream. Fishing pressure on these streams tends to be very light, perfect for light tackle fishing and baitcasting. Anglers can also brave the waters of the Rocky River as it is only a 30-minute drive from central Monroe. It is a 95-mile-long river in the Piedmont region and begins in Iredell County near Mooresville and flows south into Cabarrus County, where it is the principal waterway in the county. The river flows continuously southeastward to form the line between Stanly, Union, and Anson counties.

Plyler Lake is connected to Lake Twitty via Stewarts Creek. Bass and crappie are best caught in Plyler Lake. Other fish like pumpkinseed, bluegill, and golden redhorse are also available in the lake. Stewarts Creek is a place to visit for anglers who want to engage in adventurous bass and catfish angling. Lick Branch is a tributary of Stewarts Creek, an ideal spot to target bass. Another Stewarts Creek tributary, Stumplick Branch, is a spot abundant with blue catfish. Anglers who wish to fish in these spots can go bank fishing, fly fishing, and even kayak fishing. There are areas that the general public can access for angling and boat launching.

Get a North Carolina fishing license before going fishing in Monroe. Fishing areas near Monroe require a fishing license. Fishing licenses are governed and given by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Top 10 Fish Species in Monroe, NC

The top 10 fish species found in Monroe, NC, are largemouth bass, murray cod, pumpkinseed, black bullhead, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, rock bass, blue catfish, and spotted bass.

Seasonal Fishing

Anglers can fish for bass all year long, but spring is the ideal time to get out and do it. While spotted bass begin their spawning season every March until late May, largemouth bass start their breeding season in the spring. Early summer and right after the spotted bass's spawning season are the optimum times to fish for them. Catfish are best caught in the summer, though fishers can still pursue them throughout the year. The channel catfish begin their breeding season in the early summer, but blue catfish reproduce every spring or summer. Anglers often target bluegill in the spring and the first few weeks of the summer. Spring is a great season to go fishing, especially for those who want to catch crappie. Warmer waters are where they prefer to spawn their eggs. When the water temperature rises sufficiently, pumpkinseed begin to breed between May and July. The optimum time to lure and hunt for them is during the spawning season. The spawning season for rock bass is in late June and early July. Although they can be caught all year round, the best time to do so is during the spawning season. Murray cod fishing is best during the summer, particularly in the evenings. They lay their eggs in the spring and early summer. From May through July, black bullheads reproduce. Bullhead fishing is an all-year activity.

Things To Do in Downtown Monroe

Check out this carefully picked list of the top things to do and places to visit in Monroe for tourists who want to explore the area.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Anglers can make the most of their vacation and enjoy their fishing trip by making a fishing charter reservation. A qualified guide or a chartered captain provides all the gear an angler would require for the trip. By hiring a fishing charter, anglers can learn about the best places to fish, how to navigate the water safely, and how to catch fish right away.

2. Escape to Treehouse Vineyards

Treehouse Vineyards is a vineyard and winery opened to the public in 2010, serving handcrafted wines. The vineyard's name comes from the beautiful treehouses placed throughout the vineyard, overlooking the beautiful 200-year-old grounds. Just One More Thing Merlot, a smooth round flavor with hints of spice, and Her Way Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied taste with a touch of fruit, are some of the best wines the vineyard serves. Visitors can also try their Liquid Sunshine, a delicious blend, or Rock Quarry Riesling, a bright aromatic semi-dry. Visit their Date Night treehouse, heaved 30 feet in the air, their Papa's Dream treehouse, a lovely getaway for couples, or their Horsefeathers Hideaway, an excellent crew hideout.

3. Have a Workout at Xtreeme Challenge

If you're up for some outdoor adventure, spend a fun weekend at Xtreeme Challenge, a 17-acre adventure park with challenging activities. This park in Monroe is packed with team-building activities and can accommodate groups of 10 to 75 people. Their Challenge Walk for Schools integrates science, math, physical activity, language arts, and technology to assist students in resolving both individual and group problem-solving tasks. In contrast, their Challenge Walk boasts fantastic high and low ropes courses that aid teams in concentrating on collaboration skills and critical thinking techniques. Xtreeme's Zip Line Arena is a 750-foot course where players can select their ball of choice, shoot it while traveling at 35 mph, score goals, and engage in team competitions. The Build A Challenge activity is also a must-try. Challengers must use rivers, scavenger maps, mystery boxes, flags, cargo nets, and other items to construct a one-of-a-kind challenge.