Brook Trout
(Salvelinus fontinalis) are North Carolina's only native trout. These colorful fish are often called "speckles" because of the blue-bordered, red spots on their flanks. Their backs are green with wormlike markings, and their lower fins are red, with a black stripe and a white leading edge.

Rainbow Trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) were brought from the Pacific Northwest and stocked in North Carolina's mountain streams in the late 1800's. They have many dark spots and a greenish back that fades into silvery white on the belly. They get their name from the reddish strip along their flanks. Rainbow trout can tolerate warmer waters than brook trout.

Brown Trout
(Salmo trutta) were brought from Europe and stocked in North Carolina's mountain streams in the late 1800's as well. They are usually brownish yellow and have mostly black or dark-brown spots with a few bright red spots along their flanks. Brown trout thrive in many of North Carolina's mountain streams. They can tolerate warmer, more turbid waters than brook trout.

Classification Signs

Trout streams in North Carolina are categorized by six different classifications. Wherever these signs are displayed, fishing enthusiasts should follow the regulations posted on them.


Catch and Release
Artificial Flies Only
You must release fish once caught and you can only use artificial flies in doing so.


Delayed Harvest Waters
These are stocked trout waters open to fishing year-round, but trout caught between October 1 and the first Saturday in June must be immediately released. Single-hook, artificial lures or flies are required during the October-June period.


Hatchery Supported Waters
These waters make up over half of all trout waters in North Carolina. They cover approximately 1,100 miles of streams. Most of these streams receive at least one stocking per year of catchable size fish.

Only single hook artificial lure
Only keep four (4) fish
Fish must be at least 7" long
No natural bait on your person
No more than one line .


Catch and Release, Artificial Lures Only
You may catch the fish but you must release them back and you can only use artificial lures in doing so.

• Season is open year-round:
•You can use a single hook artificial lure (or)
•You can use a single hook with natural bait
•You can only keep four (4) fish
•The four fish must be at least seven (7) inches long
•It is unlawful to use more than one line per person
•It is unlawful to fish from one-half hour after sunset, to one-half hour before sunrise
•It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from "Wild Trout, Natural Bait Waters"

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Fishing Resources

Directions to Hatchery Supported Fly Fishing Areas

	From “Trout House Falls”	From “The Fishing Cottage”
1. French Broad River
2. Little River
3. Davidson River
4. East Fork of the French Broad River
5. Middle Fork of the French Broad River
6. West Fork of The French Broad River

#1 Recommended Fishing Guides!

Headwaters Outfitters offers Guided fly fishing trips near Brevard,North Carolina!

Located in Western NC between Brevard and Highlands / Cashiers, Headwaters Outfitters is a fly shop and Fly Fishing Guide Service with a Fly Fishing School uniquely situated near some of the finest trout streams in the Southeast.

Our "North Fork Private Waters"”offer guaranteed solitude and the chance to catch trophy-sized trout (up to 20 inches) in a pristine mountain stream environment. The popular East Fork of the French Broad is just minutes away, offering catch-and-release regulations and healthy fish populations from October through June.

The North Fork of the French Broad River flows out of the Pisgah National Forest right behind our fly shop, providing back-door access for those who want to try out a new rod or learn to cast.

Be Sure to Check out Davidson River Outfitters!

Davidson River Outfitters is located at the entrance to beautiful Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains with the city of Asheville to our north and the resort towns of Lake Toxaway, Cashiers, and Highlands to our west; we are in the heart of Southern Appalachia.

We are lucky to have the Davidson River, one of Trout Unlimited's Top 100 streams in the nation, flowing right outside our back door. There is easy access to Pisgah and Natahala National Forest, the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Gorges and DuPont State Parks.  We have nearly 600 miles of public trout water within an hour of our shop. In addition to the trout water we have 200 miles of water with smallmouth bass and musky. We also have several miles of privately owned trout water that is managed for trophy trout.

So break away for a few days and let the rivers and mountains of Western North Carolina help you forget! Give us a call toll free at 888-861-0111 and we can arrange for our guides to take you to the best fishing in the southeast.

Fishing Links

Headwaters Outfitters - Located in Western NC between Brevard and Highlands / Cashiers, Headwaters Outfitters is a fly shop and Fly Fishing Guide Service with a Fly Fishing School uniquely situated near some of the finest trout streams in the Southeast.

Davidson River Outfitters - located at the beautiful entrance to Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC our expert staff is ready to take you on a fly fishing adventure on the Davidson River. 828-877-4181

Nearby Area Fly Fishing Streams

Trout Streams in Transylvania County, Brevard NC

NC Wildlife Resources Commission Purchase your hunting, trapping or fishing license, register your boat.888-248-6834

NC Fishing Regulations If you are a resident or visitor to the state, please review these links to ensure that you understand the rules, regulations and other guidelines governing North Carolina's inland, joint and coastal fishing waters.

Transylvania County Trout Stocking schedule : Let's you know when they restock the rivers.

Transylvania County Trout Fishing Map : Lets you know where to fish.

Real Time Streamflow data in North Carolina - National Water Information System

Fishing Licenses

North Carolina Fishing Regulations
North Carolina Fishing License
Tennesse Fishing License