Shelby, NC Fishing: Fishing in the City of Pleasant Living

Shelby is a city located on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Cleveland County in western North Carolina. The county seat also lies near the west edge of the Carolinas’ bustling Metrolina (Charlotte Combined Statistical Area) region. The city area was originally resided by the Catawba and Cherokee people before being settled around 1760. In 1843, Shelby was chartered and named after Colonel Isaac Shelby, a significant figure in the battle of Kings Mountain in the American Revolution. In the 1870s, the city mainly focused on agricultural pursuits until railways stimulated the community’s development. During the 1920s, textiles became Shelby’s chief industry when cotton production in the county rose tenfold. Shelby was then known as ‘the leading shopping center between Charlotte and Asheville’ during the 1930s since several local and chain stores attracted people from surrounding counties. 

Despite being rural, Shelby’s architecture is noteworthy, with several homes and buildings with unique character. Shelby is also a music, art, and government community, mostly found in Uptown Shelby. Uptown is home to a large square, local businesses, and an assortment of restaurants surrounding Courthouse Square. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named that area ‘Main Street’. The community is also home to many local events and festivals. Shelby has also been a shooting site for many TV shows and films, including The Hunger Games. Shelby has the potential to be a must-visit fishing destination because of its unique surroundings and the variety of waters anglers can choose from.

Shelby Fishing

There are many opportunities for anglers to catch fish in and around Shelby’s waterways. Anglers can fish in some of the best freshwater lakes and rivers in North Carolina. There are also opportunities to find fish in South Carolina because Shelby is situated by the southwest state border.

The first stop anglers should check out on their Shelby fishing tours is First Broad River. The 186-mile stream is a tributary of the Broad River. Most of its watershed is monitored by the state’s Division of Water Quality and supports an array of aquatic life. The First Broad River can be found in the western part of the city. Fish species you can target from its waters include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, redeye bass, bluegill, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, brown trout, yellow perch, and white perch. The river is a perfect bank fishing spot because it is part of the Carolina Thread Trail, where anglers can enjoy fantastic views, wildlife, and bird viewing. Anglers and paddlers can also access a hand-carry boat launch area near the trailhead parking lot. 

The next place anglers should check out is the Kings Mountain Reservoir, aka Moss Lake. The lake is located in Kings Mountains bordering Shelby. It has 1,660 acres of water and 57 miles of shoreline lined with boat houses, docks, and piers. Moss Lake is an active recreational destination for anglers, boaters, and water tournaments. There are also campgrounds and picnic areas available by the lakeside. Moss Lake houses largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, striped bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, common carp, and smallmouth buffalo. It is regularly stocked with bass and crappie. The lake’s irregular shoreline produces plenty of points and channels where anglers can catch and find fish inshore. There are also ten boat ramps available. Plenty of bass and crappie can be found around docks and submerged brush piles. Jigging for crappie is a popular method of fishing in the lake — most anglers like using jig heads with small minnows or Beetlespins.

Anglers can head to the Catawba River to the city’s east. Its upper section is home to coldwater fish like brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye. That area has several access points, including access for wading; its lower section is home to warm-water fish like bass and catfish species. Carp and crappie can also be targeted throughout the river system. The river is stocked regularly with trout because its waters stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Anglers prefer drift fishing by boat when chasing fish from the Catawba River. Fly fishing for trout is also a favorite. The nearest boat access area from Shelby to the river is the Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont.

The Catawba River feeds from Lake Norman, aka the Inland Sea of NC. It is the largest man-made lake in the state, where anglers can catch trophy-sized and record-winning fish. It is an excellent bass fishing site where anglers can target a variety of bass species already mentioned and bodie bass. It also has a healthy catfish population. Anglers can also catch crappie, bream, and perch species. Baitcasting is the best way to nab fish with live bait shops around the lake. Three fishing piers provide onshore fishing access, with designated bank fishing areas also available. Eight boat launch areas are open to the public, with Mountain Island Lake Highway 73 Access Area being the closest to Shelby. There is an array of freshwater charters based around the Catawba River and Lake Norman, including crappie fishing trips, striped bass charters, or other angling experiences.

Shelby hosts many fishing tournaments in Moss Lake, such as the Annual GWU Fishing Club Tournament and the inaugural Charity Bass Fishing Tournament.

Top 10 Fish Species in Shelby, NC

The top 10 fish species found in Shelby, NC, are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, redeye bass, bluegill, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, and spotted bass.

Seasonal Fishing 

Bass species are most active from March to May during their spawning season. The best months to catch catfish are April, May, September, and October. Recreational trout fishing in North Carolina is open between April and February, with periods in between for restocking. Crappie can be caught all year, but the prime fishing seasons are spring and fall. Plenty of bluegill can be caught during spring and early summer. Perch species are prevalent in the spring and summer. They are most active in the early morning, late afternoon, and evening hours. 

Some Fun Things To Do in Shelby

There is always something fun to do in Shelby, whether it’s experiencing live music, great shopping, gallery shows, delicious food, and special events.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

To elevate their fishing trips, anglers can book fishing charters in Shelby and nearby North Carolina communities. Some guide services one should look into are Ipock's Fishing Charters, S and C Fishing Charters, Cap's Fishing Charters, and Reel Knotty Fishing Charters. Anglers can rent boats and fishing equipment and purchase bait and tackle from designated fishing areas. Those who are 16 years of age or older should have their North Carolina fishing license.

2. Learn About the City’s History

The Historic Shelby Walking Tour is a self-guided tour that showcases the city’s historic structures dating back to the 1850s. Highlights include Webbley, a 1907 Classic Revival courthouse, Music & Stories from the American South, the Cleveland County Arts Council based in a 1916 Classical Revival Post Office, a 1923 Egyptian-Revival mixed-used complex, Mason Square, and Lafayette Place. The tour starts and ends at Court Square in Uptown Shelby. People can acquire a guide for the tour online.

3. Experience Baseball

Enjoy watching baseball matches in Shelby, which was named the permanent home of the American Legion World Baseball Series in 2011. Tournaments and a variety of fun events are held when the legion is in town every August. People can root for over 3500 amateur US and Canadian baseball teams participating in the sport yearly. Games are held at Keeter Stadium on the campus of Shelby High School. Before the World Series, the Seventh Inning Stretch festival is held in Uptown Shelby on a Saturday. A Commander's Reception is held Tuesday before the event, and a Parade of Champions is held the night before the first game.