Henderson County NC Trout Fishing

NC Trout Streams → Henderson County
NC Trout Streams · District 9

Henderson County
Trout Fishing

5 Hatchery Streams
1 Delayed Harvest
7,500 Fish Stocked (2026)
Mar–May Peak Season

Henderson County sits on the southeastern edge of WNC's trout country — lower elevation than its neighbors to the west, but with one standout fishery that punches well above the county's size: the North Mills River Delayed Harvest section in Pisgah National Forest. The North Mills accounts for 60% of the county's total stocking on its own. The remaining five hatchery-supported streams range from the compact Green River powerhouse run to Clear Creek's 8-mile stretch through the backcountry. Smaller county, focused program — here's what you need for 2026.

🔵 Delayed Harvest Streams
Heavily stocked · Catch & Release only Oct 1 – June 5 · Artificial lures/flies with single hook only · Harvest opens June 6, 2026 · Always verify current dates at ncwildlife.gov
Delayed Harvest North Mills River Below watershed on game lands · 4 miles · 4,500 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown
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Stream / Section Miles GPS
North Mills River — Delayed Harvest Section Below the watershed boundary on game lands within Pisgah National Forest. The North Mills River DH section is the clear anchor of Henderson County's trout program — 4,500 fish stocked annually across March, May, and October events on 4 miles of national forest water. The Pisgah National Forest setting means excellent scenery, good public access, and cold water sustained by the surrounding watershed. Pool-riffle structure with good wading throughout the DH section. At 60% of the county's total annual stocking, if you're making a trip to Henderson County for trout, this is the primary destination. 4.0 mi 35.4100, -82.6500 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 720 720 360 1,800
May 360 360 180 900
October (fall) 720 720 360 1,800
Annual Total 1,800 1,800 900 4,500
2026 Spring Stocking Weeks
Mar 30 – Apr 3 Apr 6 – Apr 10 Apr 27 – May 1
2026 Fall Stocking Weeks
Sep 28 – Oct 2 Oct 5 – Oct 9 Oct 12 – Oct 16

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Henderson County District 9. 3 stocking events (March, May, October). Spring and fall weekly dates from NCWRC 2026 Delayed Harvest Stocking Schedule. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Built for Pisgah — Loaded & Ready

The North Mills River DH section rewards technical presentation — especially during the fall window when fish have seen pressure all season. Our All-Water Arsenal covers 74 guide-approved patterns across dries, nymphs, and soft hackles. Everything you need from the March opener through the October fall stocking.

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🟢 Hatchery Supported Streams
Stocked March & May 2026 · Open to all legal tackle · 7 trout/day creel limit · No size limit · Always verify at ncwildlife.gov
Hatchery Rocky Broad River Rocky River Lane to Rutherford County Line · 1.2 miles · 1,000 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown
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Stream / Section Miles GPS
Rocky Broad River — Rocky River Lane to Rutherford County Line The Henderson County stocked section of the Rocky Broad River covers 1.2 miles from Rocky River Lane down to the Rutherford County line. At 1,000 fish annually across a compact stretch, this section fishes well during and immediately after stocking events. Note: the Rocky Broad River continues into Rutherford County downstream where it receives additional stocking under that county's program — making it worth considering as part of a multi-county trip. All three species stocked in March and May. 1.2 mi 35.2700, -82.3900 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 200 200 100 500
May 200 200 100 500
Annual Total 400 400 200 1,000
2026 Stocking Week
Apr 19 – Apr 25

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Henderson County District 9. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Hatchery Clear Creek SR 1591 Bridge to Laurel Fork (SR 1592) · 8.1 miles · 800 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown
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Stream / Section Miles GPS
Clear Creek — SR 1591 Bridge to Laurel Fork (SR 1592) At 8.1 miles, Clear Creek is the longest hatchery-supported stream in Henderson County — running from the SR 1591 Bridge down to the Laurel Fork confluence at SR 1592. The fish-per-mile density is lower than the Rocky Broad given the longer stretch, but Clear Creek offers more variety of water to explore. Classic freestone character with road access at both boundary points. Good option when you want more water to cover without the post-stocking crowds that concentrate near shorter streams. 8.1 mi 35.3600, -82.5200 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 160 160 80 400
May 160 160 80 400
Annual Total 320 320 160 800
2026 Stocking Week
Apr 19 – Apr 25

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Henderson County District 9. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Hatchery Cane Creek SR 1551 Bridge to Hwy 25 Bridge · 1.5 miles · 600 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown
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Stream / Section Miles GPS
Cane Creek — SR 1551 Bridge to Hwy 25 Bridge A 1.5-mile section between two road crossings in the Fletcher/Edneyville area. Compact, accessible water with 600 fish stocked annually across March and May events. The highway bridge boundaries make for easy navigation — no ambiguity about where the stocked section begins and ends. All three species. Good pick for a quick half-day outing without a long drive into the national forest. 1.5 mi 35.3900, -82.4600 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 120 120 60 300
May 120 120 60 300
Annual Total 240 240 120 600
2026 Stocking Weeks
Apr 19 – Apr 25 May 3 – May 9

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Henderson County District 9. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Hatchery Green River Lake Summit powerhouse to game land boundary · 0.3 miles · 400 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown
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⚠️ Hydropower Flow — Check Conditions Before You Go

The stocked section originates at the Lake Summit powerhouse, meaning flow is directly influenced by hydropower operations. Water levels in this section can change rapidly depending on generation schedules. Check current conditions and the Duke Energy flow schedule before making the drive.

Stream / Section Miles GPS
Green River — Lake Summit Powerhouse to Game Land Boundary The shortest stocked stream in Henderson County at just 0.3 miles — a compact tailwater section immediately below the Lake Summit powerhouse extending to the game land boundary. Despite its short length, this section receives cold, oxygen-rich tailwater flows that can hold fish well between stocking events. The Green River is well-known as a whitewater destination downstream, but this upper stocked section is a very different, quieter piece of water. All three species stocked in March and May. 0.3 mi 35.3100, -82.3800 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 80 80 40 200
May 80 80 40 200
Annual Total 160 160 80 400
2026 Stocking Weeks
Apr 19 – Apr 25 May 3 – May 9

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Henderson County District 9. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

Hatchery Hungry River SR 1885 to Green River · 3 miles · 200 fish annually · Brook, Rainbow, Brown
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Stream / Section Miles GPS
Hungry River — SR 1885 to Green River A 3-mile tributary of the Green River running from SR 1885 to the confluence. The lowest fish count in Henderson County at 200 fish annually, but that same low profile means virtually zero stocking-day pressure. Fish that have been in the water for a week or two in a lightly fished stream will behave more like wild fish than freshly stocked trout. If you want a quiet stretch of creek with no crowd, the Hungry River delivers. All three species stocked in March and May. 3.0 mi 35.3200, -82.3600 ↗
Stocking Event Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Total
March 40 40 20 100
May 40 40 20 100
Annual Total 80 80 40 200
2026 Stocking Weeks
Apr 19 – Apr 25 May 3 – May 9

Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Henderson County District 9. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.

The Depth Charge for the North Mills

The North Mills River DH section fishes best subsurface — especially after fish have settled in from a stocking event. Our Depth Charge box puts 72 tungsten bead nymphs in your hands. Small, heavy, and in the zone where the fish actually are.

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📅 2026 Stocking Calendar — Henderson County
Verify all dates at ncwildlife.gov before your trip · Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List, District 9
Stream Type Stocking Month(s) Total Fish
North Mills River DH March · May · October 4,500
Rocky Broad River HS March · May 1,000
Clear Creek HS March · May 800
Cane Creek HS March · May 600
Green River HS March · May 400
Hungry River HS March · May 200
County Total — — 7,500
Also Fishing Nearby?

Henderson County borders some excellent trout fishing counties — each with their own stocking schedules and stream character.

About Henderson County trout fishing: Henderson County, NC offers 6 stocked trout waters totaling 7,500 fish in 2026. The North Mills River Delayed Harvest section (4 miles, 4,500 fish) in Pisgah National Forest is the county's premier fishery. Additional waters include the Rocky Broad River (1.2 miles, 1,000 fish), Clear Creek (8.1 miles, 800 fish), Cane Creek (1.5 miles, 600 fish), Green River powerhouse section (0.3 miles, 400 fish), and Hungry River (3 miles, 200 fish). All waters stocked with brook, rainbow, and brown trout in March and May. Located near Hendersonville and Brevard, NC within NCWRC District 9. A valid NC fishing license is required. · Data source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List, District 9 · Last updated: 2026 · Stocking dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before fishing.