McDowell County
McDowell County is surrounded by Buncombe, Rutherford, Burke, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey County.  Marion and Old Fort are the two major towns within the county.  The Blue Ridge Parkway skirts the north western edge of the county.  This is my home waters, of course I tend to fish here more than anywhere else!

*** Look for personal notes

Stocked Waters

Little Buck Creek (game lands portion) (4 miles)* tight creek stocked well and fished hard!

North Fork Catawba River (headwaters to North Cove School at S.R. 1569 bridge) (11 miles)* my opinion, best stocked water in the county, easy access near headwaters, some nice holdovers in lower sections.

Armstrong Creek (Cato Holler lower line downstream to Greenlee upper line) (2 miles)* some big holes, lots of trash!

Mill Creek (upper railroad bridge to US 70 bridge) (6 miles)* fished heavily due to easy access, lower section near US 70 posted.

Delayed Harvest

Curtis Creek (Newberry Creek to US 70 bridge) (5 miles)* easy access fished hard, some nice big holes if no one is swimming! For more information click here!

Click here for the N.C. Wildlife's Stocking report for McDowell County!

Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only Waters

Newberry Creek (game lands portion) (3 miles)* stocked for years with brooks only, lots of them still there!
For more information click here!

Wild Trout Waters

Mackey Creek (game lands section)* no easy access, very light fishing pressure.

Buck Creek (game land section)* only about 200 yards long along NC 80, not very well known so light fishing pressure.

Curtis Creek (including tributaries) (game lands section)* fished hard around camp sites. For more information click here!

Armstrong Creek (including tributaries) (game lands section above hatchery property)* good numbers of fish.

Catawba River (head waters on game lands)* get above falls for some nice brookie action, stream is tight but fishable.

***All waters on game lands not listed are considered Wild Trout Waters!!!!!!

WNC TroutBACK