Sanford, NC Fishing: Fishing in the Brick City

Sanford is a city and the county seat of Lee County, located in the heart of North Carolina. In 1907, Lee County was formed from parts of the surrounding three counties. Upon the creation of the county, Sanford and Jonesboro were the area’s major towns. Sanford had grown to such an extent in the late 20th century that it eventually merged with Jonesboro. The former site of Jonesboro became Jonesboro Heights, and Sanford remained as the city’s name. The city played a key role in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, specifically in sites such as the House in the Horseshoe and Endor Iron Furnace. The area became a significant source of coal, brownstone, and brick, making the city a big provider of these materials throughout the United States. Sanford established a formal sister city relationship with the city of Yixing in China in 2014. The city was named after railroad service engineer C.O. Sanford.

Sanford has a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities with an active and energized downtown area. It boasts a robust music scene, sprawling public art, countless historical sites, and lush natural resources. Sanford has many delightfully unexpected experiences to uncover, explore, and enjoy. Plenty of community events and festivals will keep everyone busy, but it’s also easy to find some peace and quiet. Anglers who come to Sanford can expect to find plenty of lakes and rivers abundant with a variety of fish.

Sanford Fishing

Sanford has and is surrounded by several lakes and rivers that are filled with a variety of freshwater fish. Access to these waterways makes inshore and offshore fishing tours convenient for anglers.

Holiday Lake is found within the city limits on the northwest. This beautiful reservoir is the perfect place for anglers to bring their basic fishing rod and reel and their choice of bait. It is a tranquil fishing spot amongst woodsy pine forests where one can catch black crappie, white crappie, largemouth bass, spotted bass, butterfly peacock bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill, chain pickerel, northern pike, and black bullhead. Anglers can successfully get a bite by bank fishing on the lake’s shores.

Lake Trace is part of the Carolina Trace Country Club gated community found in the city’s south. It is a popular spot among anglers because it is regularly stocked with a variety of fish species. The beauty of Lake Trace provides a sense of tranquility through its peaceful setting amid miles of shoreline and panoramic views of undisturbed hardwood forests. Some fish include largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, black crappie, black bullhead, chain pickerel, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, rainbow trout, common carp, yellow perch, and white perch. The lake has yielded several record-sized catches. Aside from fishing, the lake is also an ideal place for people to use a pontoon boat, kayak, canoe, and sailboat. Boat ramps, piers, docks, and a marina can be found around the lakeside. Only boats with no electric motors are allowed on the lake due to environmental efforts executed by the community.

The Cape Fear River can be found just a few miles east of Sanford. The almost 200-mile-long blackwater river is an angler’s paradise because it offers freshwater fishing in the upper section and saltwater fishing in the lower area, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Fear. Its watershed has a vibrant and diverse ecosystem, acting as the ideal habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including ancient cypress trees, alligators, otters, black bears, a large range of birds, and a host of fish species such as American shad, catfish, sunfish, crappie, bream, white perch, largemouth bass, and striped bass. These species are what anglers can find in the river’s mainstem and Jordan Lake, the nearest reservoir from Sanford and North Carolina’s most productive freshwater fishery. The river is generally renowned for its fantastic production of catfish. There are also opportunities for alligator fishing trips, as the river is home to American alligators. Anglers can access the Avent Ferry Boat Ramp in Moncure, the closest boat ramp.

Sanford is home to many local fishing tournaments. There is the Line Breakers fishing tournament which is family owned and operated. The contest focuses on catching the best and biggest catfish from the Line Breakers Catfish Pond, located at 3828 Rocky Fork Church Road. The seasonal Trace Union of Fervent Fishermen Fishing Derby is also held on a one-acre bass pond in Hidden Lake. The TUFF Fishing Derby is done to raise awareness for the HOFNAD Program by the national Future Fishermen Foundation, which gets people to be ‘Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs.’ Bait, equipment, and instructions are provided for free by the Carolina Trace Association. The derby has expanded to Adult and Youth (16 and under) divisions, and prizes are awarded in the bass, crappie, bream, and catfish categories.

Top 10 Fish Species in Sanford, NC

The top 10 fish species found in Sanford, NC, are black crappie, white crappie, largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, bluegill, and redear sunfish.

Seasonal Fishing

The best period to catch bass species is when they spawn from March until May and can be found near the banks or coastal waters. Crappie can be caught any time of the year, but the best time for daytime fishing is in the spring and fall when large schools are found in shallow water. The best months to target catfish are late March, April, early May, September, and October. Spring and early summer are the peak seasons for bluegill fishing because plenty gather in the shallow waters to spawn. Sunfish fishing is best done in the fall months. Species such as chain pickerel and northern pike are very active in winter. Perch fishing is excellent during early spring and late summer when the sun hasn’t reached its peak during the day. Carp is best caught in the spring.

Sites to See in Sanford

Sanford is a city that has it all; arts and entertainment, scenic outdoor landscapes, and historical sites recognized by the country.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

North Carolina boasts a healthy fishing culture because of its abundant waterways and access to the Atlantic Ocean. Book a fishing charter to level up your angling adventure in Sanford, whether striped bass fishing charters or crappie fishing trips. Some of the nearby charters one can find include Aunt Bee Sportfishing, Old North State Fishing, Salty Anchors Charters, and Ipock’s Fishing Charters. Boat rental services and bait and tackle shops can be found around established local fishing areas. Anglers should have their North Carolina fishing license ready before planning an angling trip anywhere in the state.

2. Explore the City Through a Scavenger Hunt

The City of Sanford Appearance Commission lets visitors explore Downtown Sanford as they hunt for 12 miniature bronze trains scattered throughout the area. The trains are replicas of the Number 12 locomotive found in Depot Park, representing the city’s beginnings as a railroad town. All the miniature trains can be found outside. People can keep track of their findings using a train passport provided by the city’s tourism website. Those who find all 12 trains can bring their passports to 115 Chatham Street and receive a prize.

3. Soak Up History Through Art

Sanford’s Public Arts initiative promotes the city’s roots, honors hometown heroes, and celebrates the things that make it a unique destination through the Mural Art Trail. People can access an audio tour on the city’s tourism website or download the trail map. The murals were done by artists Chris Dalton and Scott Nurkin. The Tobacco Mural features a 3-D mule and plants jutting out the art piece and the city’s agricultural past.