Rocky Mount, NC Fishing: Hidden Fishing Gem in North Carolina’s Northeast Region

Rocky Mount is a city in the northeastern part of North Carolina. It sits in both Edgecombe and Nash Counties and is located east of Raleigh, the state capital. It was incorporated as a city in 1867 after a community grew up around the Tar River falls dating back to the mid-1700s.

One of the city’s most distinct landmarks is the Rocky Mount Mills Village Historic District. The historic village was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, its population comprising the tenants that worked in the cotton mill. The cotton mill eventually shut down, leaving the property abandoned but intact. The houses are registered under the National Register of Historic Places. 

Rocky Mount owes its development to the Tar River, a 215-mile river that flows southeast towards a Pamlico Sound estuary. Its name derives from its history as a route for barges transporting tar to the sea. While it may no longer be used, the river remains a significant waterbody to the city. Much of the city’s recreational spots are situated on the river trail, giving visitors direct access to the river and its tributaries. 

With the Tar River on its very doorstep, Rocky Mount is a bonafide fishing destination that should be on your radar. Furthermore, its location straddling two counties gives anglers easy access to even more fishing spots around Northeast North Carolina.

Rocky Mount Fishing

Rocky Mount may not be every angler’s dream fishing destination, but its local anglers will tell you that it is a hidden gem. The Tar River runs through it, after all. And you won’t have trouble choosing a spot to cast a line with the city’s many access points to the river.

A good starting point to fish the Tar River is heading to Battle Park. It’s on the famous Tar River Trail and Tar River Paddle Trail. You get a view of the Rocky Mount Village Historic District and the Rocky Mount Mills Dam from the park. The park is an angler's paradise aside from being popular with bikers, hikers, and nature trekkers. Its Greenway Trail has great facilities for fishing, including a boat landing and canoe launch, fishing piers, picnic shelters, and lost more open space. Anglers typically find plenty of rockfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish and flathead catfish, bluegill, and crappie in the river. But come springtime, paddlers can usually enjoy fishing for American shad and hickory shad, along with striped bass on the paddling route. 

Tar River Reservoir primarily supplies drinking water to the city but is a great place for recreational boating and fishing. It is on the smaller side at 1860 acres, but anglers can fish here even on windy days because of its narrow coves and tree-filled banks. It’s a known hotspot for crappie, especially around the boat docks and ramps around the area. Apart from crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and bluegill are also readily found in the lake. 

Just a few minutes outside Rocky Mount, anglers can still fish a part of the Tar River that offers great fishing. Upper Tar River is a prime summer fishing spot for bluegill, largemouth bass, and crappie, along with its tributaries. Its shallow areas are excellent places to practice different techniques and tactics like fly fishing and light tackle to catch your target.

The nearby locale of Tarboro, just twenty minutes outside Rocky Mount, offers even more access to the Tar River. The best way to fish the river’s length within town limits is via canoe or kayak on the river trail. There are boating access areas along the way, namely Bells Bridge, Dunbar Bridge, and Old Sparta. The route from Bell’s Bridge will take you to Riverfront Park, which offers bank access to the river.

Another nearby fishing district that you can easily access from Rocky Mount is the city of Wilson. Many of its fair fishing spots hold the same species you might find in the Tar River, making them good alternatives if you still can’t get enough freshwater fishing in NC. Fishing is relaxing at Buckhorn Reservoir. It has no boat limit restrictions and can be accessed from sunrise to sunset, allowing you to target its bass, catfish, and crappie all day. Lake Wilson is another relaxing place to fish with stable waters and accessible boat ramps. Apart from fishing, there are plenty of hiking trails and boating opportunities. Millstone Creek is your ideal spot for stream fishing, especially if you can wake up to fish before sunrise. Casual anglers will love fishing at Wiggins Mill Reservoir, as the area has just about everything you need in terms of fishing — boat rentals, a bait shop, plus access to a boat or bank fishing. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Rocky Mount, NC

The top 10 fish species you can target in Rocky Mount, NC, are crappie, rockfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill, American shad, hickory shad, and striped bass.

Seasonal Fishing

Like many states, Rocky Mount’s fishing peaks around summertime, with many fish species actively feeding as the water warms up. Summer is a particularly great time to target many of the top species in the river systems of Rocky Mount and the rest of northeast North Carolina. Be careful and dress accordingly because the summers in this part of NC tend to get pretty humid and hot, reaching up to 90 °F (32 °C) on average.

What makes the area unique, though, is the spawning migration of shad that typically precedes the annual spring run of striped bass in the river. This migration usually starts in late February through early April every year, reaching its peak mid-to late-March. Around this time, expect to catch shad in the hundreds, especially if you happen to be around for the height of the migration run. Experts who wait for this unique migration usually succeed with shad using conventional tackle and flies.

Another unique thing about fishing in the Tar River is its winter crappie. While crappie can be caught in the river all year round, especially in the reservoir, trophy-sized crappie can be caught in schools from December to February. Around this time, they’re best targeted around structures and trees using small jigs on lightweight tackle. 

Be A Culture Vulture in Rocky Mount

Rocky Mount is a great alternative destination to the city of Raleigh, offering arts and culture, history, and excellent parks and recreational facilities. 

1. Book a Fishing Guide

First time exploring the Tar River? Do it the safe way and book a local fishing charter or guide to show you the way. Having a professional guide by your side is not just safe and comfortable; it allows you to learn from a master who knows the fishing in the area like the back of his hand.

2. Explore the Rocky Mount Mills

Rocky Mount Mills is home to a craft brewery incubator. It’s a great place for food and beer hopping as it features start-up breweries and dining places. The spot is next to the Rocky Mount Village Historic District houses, so you can easily hop on a historic walk after eating and drinking.

3. Visit the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences

The Imperial Centre is an arts and sciences hub that houses the Maria V. Howard Arts Center, Rocky Mount Children's Museum and Science Center, Cummins Planetarium, and a home-grown community theater. Entry to Children’s Museum costs $6 per person, while a visit to Maria V. Howard Art Center is free. The center hosts spring and summer art programs, festivals, and theater events, apart from its exhibits.