Wilson, NC Fishing: Vibrant City Fishing on the Borders of Piedmont and Coastal Plain Regions

Wilson is a vibrant city located east of the state capital, Raleigh, in the home state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Wilson County and is accessible via Interstate 95 from north to south and Interstate 40 from east to west. The beautiful city boasts a culturally diverse community and a huge African American resident population and maintains its distinctly Southern charm like the rest of North Carolina. Recently, it has been gaining popularity as a residential district because of its quality of life and focus on arts and culture.

Archeological evidence shows that the entire county had been inhabited for 10,000 years. The first settlers were descendants of Asian origin who became Native American Indians. The tribe that finally settled in what would eventually become Wilson County were the Tuscaroras, who settled in the field of land between the Tar River and the Neuse River. They named their village Toisnot and acted as intermediaries and traders between the European colonists and the Siouan tribe.

The current city of Wilson traces its roots back to the town of settlers that developed around the Toisnot Primitive Baptist Church in the 1800s.

Tobacco cultivation was the city’s primary industry back when it was first established as a town in the 19th century. Still, it has diversified through the years, with its economy relying as much on its agriculture as it does on manufacturing, commercial, and service industries. As a burgeoning city, it offers many new exciting spots such as museums, preserved historic districts, hip food places, and some of the best breweries in North and South Carolina.

With its location right on the Piedmont and Coastal Plain borders, Wilson is gifted with both areas’ lush natural beauty and ecological diversity. The land is surrounded by various majestic vistas, marshland, and wetland characteristics of the two regions and is filled with excellent outdoor recreational activities, including camping, hiking, and freshwater fishing. 

Wilson Fishing

Like many of its neighbors in the Piedmont region in North Carolina, Wilson offers great fishing opportunities in its rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. With a climate favorable to fishing almost all year round, Wilson is a fair destination for anglers seeking a productive freshwater fishing experience.

Lake Wilson, the city’s namesake lake, can be accessed on Lake Wilson Road in an outdoor recreation area with boating, hiking, and fishing facilities. The lake is small but productive, with plenty of bluegill, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Its waters tend to be pretty stable, so it’s easy and safe to fish in, even for someone without fishing experience. The recreation area has many boat ramps available for anglers who wish to do some boat-fishing. Frequent visitors usually fish near the dam, but shore-fishing can be equally productive here.

Buckhorn Reservoir is a popular place to fish among anglers of all levels. It is located off Highway 581, making it accessible to residents from the rest of the city and nearby communities. The reservoir is extensive, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to fish. It has two boat ramps — one for powerboats and the other for non-powered boats — which anglers can use for a fee. Alternatively, you can fish on foot from the 15 miles of shoreline or the fishing pier. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, crappie, rainbow trout, white bass, bluegill, and muskellunge are just some fish species you can expect to catch in this popular reservoir.

Wiggins Mill Reservoir may not be as big as Buckhorn Reservoir, but it is as popular. It has plenty of fishing facilities that make it particularly angler-friendly. It has boat rentals, a bait shop, and boat fishing and bank fishing access. You can also fish from the docks near the dam by Highway 301. The reservoir is open from sunrise to sunset but is most productive from mid to late afternoon from 2 pm to 4 pm. You can find fish in this reservoir, including flathead catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie.

You can access the incredibly productive Tar River Reservoir just a few minutes drive outside Wilson. The 1,800-acre lake has hundreds of miles of shoreline from which you can fish on foot. It has many narrow coves and tree-lined banks, making the reservoir safe and stable to fish even during windy days. It has plenty of crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and redear sunfish. The reservoir itself has plenty of access points that offer great fishing. A boat landing and canoe launch on the Greenway Trail and fishing piers, fishing, and picnic shelters. A boat ramp is located south of the eponymous bridge on The Bend of the River Road. A two-lane concrete ramp with a dock is sited on the lake's western shore. Both areas are rich in fish.

Dare to venture further away from Wilson and Rocky Mount to fish the Upper Tar River, known for its excellent summer fishing opportunities. During warm weather, this part of the Tar River becomes a hotspot for bluegill, largemouth bass, and crappie. The water body's shallow areas, in particular, are great spots to seek out if you’re keen to practice fly fishing and light tackle fishing.

Top 10 Fish Species in Wilson, NC

The top 10 fish species found in Wilson, NC, include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, crappie, rainbow trout, redear sunfish, and bluegill.

Seasonal Fishing

Summer is the peak fishing season in Wilson, as it is in many places in the United States, with many of its fish species actively feeding while the water turns warm. Anglers are advised to dress for the occasion, as the summers in this part of North Carolina can get hot and humid. The perfect day to fish during the warm season is early morning and just before sunset.

During spring and winter, anglers fishing the Tar River Reservoir are in for a treat as this waterbody. In the reservoir, you can find shad in large numbers during spring, preceding the annual striped bass spring run. This starts in late February and peaks from mid to late March. During winter, you’ll find trophy crappie in the waterbody, particularly around structures and trees. They’re best caught using small jigs on lightweight tackle.

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has imposed size and daily creel limits for its resident fish species to keep the area productive for anglers. Check with the local authorities before casting a line for your species so you can enjoy a legal fishing experience.

Experience the Wholesome Beauty and Culture of Wilson

Wilson is a beautiful city with a rich history and a thriving present. It offers an excellent family-friendly destination for visitors seeking a different side of North Carolina.

1. Book a Fishing Guide

Enjoy a safe and comfortable fishing experience in the lakes and reservoirs of Wilson and its surrounding communities. Whether a novice or not, having a local professional by your side will ensure a productive fishing experience.

2. Visit the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park

Whirligigs are giant kinetic sculptures made by American folk artist Vollis Simpson. Many of his works have been exhibited in museums all over North America, including the American Visionary Art Museum, the American Folk Art Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. The Whirligig Park, a landmark park in historic Downton Wilson, collects 30 of Simpson’s best works.

3. Stroll through Wilson’s Beautiful Gardens

Visit two of Wilson’s best public gardens for a relaxing day with the entire family. The Wilson Botanical Garden is dedicated to educating visitors of all ages on the joys of gardening by exhibiting different plants that can be used in one’s home.

Wilson Rose Garden is an all-America Rose Selections Public Garden that houses more than 1200 rose bushes and 180 varieties, from historical ones to modern types. It is best visited from May 1 through October 30, when the roses are all in full bloom.