NC Trout Stocking Schedule 2026
2026 NC Trout
Stocking Schedule
25 WNC Counties COVERED
The 2026 NC trout stocking schedule covers 25 Western North Carolina counties, 33 Delayed Harvest streams, and more than 150 Hatchery Supported waters stocked directly by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Whether you're planning around a Delayed Harvest opener or timing a spring weekend on a Hatchery Supported creek, every stocking window from Alleghany to Yancey is mapped here. NCWRC stocks trout across two seasons: spring (March through May) and fall (October through November), with Delayed Harvest sections receiving the highest stocking densities in the program. Pick your county, check the dates, and go fish.
North Carolina's trout stocking program is managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and operates on a two-classification system. Hatchery Supported waters receive standard stocking during spring and fall runs. Delayed Harvest waters receive the program's heaviest stockings, with multiple deliveries per season, under catch-and-release regulations that protect fish density through the peak months. The two systems are designed to serve different angling goals: Hatchery Supported gives you access to stocked fish statewide on a simple seasonal calendar, while Delayed Harvest creates high-density, high-quality fishing on the most-visited streams in the western mountains.
NCWRC hatcheries produce and stock three species: Rainbow Trout (the highest volume), Brook Trout (NC's only native trout, technically a char), and Brown Trout (stocked at roughly half the volume of the other two). Most streams receive all three species in each stocking event. Some lake waters receive rainbow only. Stocking ratios and volumes vary by water classification, county, and year.
The most common designation across NC trout country. These streams are stocked twice per year: spring (March through May) and fall (October through November), with standard NC fishing regulations in effect year-round. Legal size, standard creel limits, all legal tackle permitted.
Best timing: Fish 24 to 72 hours after a stocking event for the fastest action. Check the NCWRC weekly stocking report to know when the truck ran.
NC's premium catch-and-release fisheries. DH sections receive the program's heaviest stockings, with multiple events per season, but harvest is prohibited during the stocking period. Artificial lures only, single hook, catch-and-release from October 1 through the Saturday before the first Saturday in June.
Best timing: The week immediately following a stocking event. Fish get selective fast on DH water. Downsize your tippet and slow down your presentations.
The table below lists every Delayed Harvest stream in NC by county with its confirmed 2026 stocking weeks. Spring stockings run from early March through mid-May. Fall stockings run from late September through mid-November. Streams with four stocking events per season receive higher overall fish density than three-event streams. Verify current dates at ncwildlife.org before your trip, as dates are subject to change due to weather or hatchery conditions.
| County | Stream | Spring Stocking Weeks | Fall Stocking Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashe | Helton Creek | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 |
| Trout Lake | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 Nov 9–13 | |
| Big Horse Creek | Mar 2–6 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Oct 12–16 Nov 2–6 | |
| South Fork New River | Mar 2–6 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Oct 12–16 Nov 9–13 | |
| Burke | Jacobs Fork | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 5–9 |
| Caldwell | Wilson Creek | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 12–16 |
| Clay | Fires Creek | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Sep 28–Oct 2 |
| Graham | Big Snowbird Creek | Apr 6–10 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 |
| Haywood | West Fork Pigeon River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Oct 5–9 |
| Henderson | North Fork Mills River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 |
| Jackson | Tuckasegee River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 5–9 |
| Macon | Nantahala River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 5–9 |
| Madison | Big Laurel Creek | Mar 30–Apr 3 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 |
| Shelton Laurel Creek | Mar 30–Apr 3 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 | |
| Spring Creek | Apr 6–10 May 4–8 | Nov 9–13 | |
| McDowell | Curtis Creek | Mar 9–13 May 11–15 | Oct 5–9 |
| Mill Creek | Mar 9–13 May 11–15 | Oct 5–9 | |
| Catawba River | Mar 9–13 May 11–15 | Oct 5–9 | |
| Mitchell | Cane Creek | Mar 9–13 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Oct 5–9 |
| North Toe River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 12–16 | |
| Polk | Green River | Apr 6–10 May 4–8 | Nov 9–13 |
| Surry | Ararat River | Mar 2–6 May 11–15 | Oct 12–16 Nov 9–13 |
| Mitchell River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 5–9 Nov 2–6 | |
| Swain | Tuckasegee River | Mar 30–Apr 3 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 |
| Transylvania | East Fork French Broad River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Oct 5–9 |
| Little River | Mar 30–Apr 3 May 4–8 | Nov 9–13 | |
| Watauga | Watauga River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 12–16 Nov 9–13 |
| Lake Coffey | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 12–16 Nov 9–13 | |
| Wilkes | East Prong Roaring River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 |
| Stone Mountain Creek | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 | |
| Reddies River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 | |
| Elk Creek | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 | |
| Yancey | Cane River | Mar 9–13 May 11–15 | Oct 5–9 |
Source: NCWRC 2026 Delayed Harvest Stocking Schedule. All dates subject to change due to weather or hatchery conditions. Changes announced via press release and at ncwildlife.gov.
Hatchery Supported waters are stocked across all 25 Western North Carolina counties during two windows each year. The spring run typically covers March through May, with most counties seeing trucks in March, April, and May. The fall run covers October and November. Unlike Delayed Harvest, there are no special regulations on Hatchery Supported water. A standard NC fishing license plus a NC Trout License covers you, and you can keep what you catch within the 7-fish daily creel limit.
Stocking frequency varies by county and stream. Higher-traffic areas, such as the Davidson River corridor in Transylvania County, the Tuckasegee system in Jackson County, and the Watauga River drainage, receive more events per season than quieter remote streams. Some streams in low-volume counties (Rutherford, Stokes, Alleghany) see only two or three stocking events per year total, so timing matters more on those waters.
County-specific exceptions: Alleghany stocks March and April only. Rutherford stocks March and May only. Stokes (Hanging Rock Lake) stocks April and October only. Check each county guide for exact months on individual streams.
9 hatchery streams. Little River, Brush Creek, Prather Creek. Quiet mountain streams in the New River watershed. Stocking months: March and April only. No fall stocking.
View Full County Guide →11 hatchery streams, 4 Delayed Harvest sections. 22,911 fish stocked in 2026. One of the most heavily stocked DH counties in the northern mountains.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Helton Creek | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 |
| Trout Lake | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 Nov 9–13 |
| Big Horse Creek | Mar 2–6 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Oct 12–16 Nov 2–6 |
| South Fork New River | Mar 2–6 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Oct 12–16 Nov 9–13 |
4 hatchery streams. Linville River, North Toe River, Boyd Coffee Lake. High-elevation waters with excellent brook trout habitat. Hatchery Supported stocking: spring (March through May) and fall (October through November).
View Full County Guide →6 hatchery streams. Swannanoa River, Reems Creek, Ivy River. 11,500 fish stocked in 2026. Close access from Asheville. Hatchery Supported stocking: spring (March through May) and fall (October through November).
View Full County Guide →4 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest, 1 C&R Artificial, 4 wild trout streams. Jacob Fork DH at South Mountains State Park. One of the most diverse fisheries in the NC foothills.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Jacobs Fork | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 5–9 |
4 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. Wilson Creek (HS & DH) runs through Wilson Creek Gorge, one of the most scenic trout corridors in the Blue Ridge.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson Creek | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 12–16 |
6 hatchery streams. Valley River, Apalachia Lake, Davis Creek. 6,760 fish stocked in 2026. Easy access from Murphy in the southwestern corner of NC. Hatchery Supported stocking: spring (March through May) and fall (October through November).
View Full County Guide →3 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. Fires Creek (HS & DH), Tusquitee Creek, Buck Creek. 6,900 fish stocked in 2026. One of the most underrated fisheries in the Nantahala National Forest.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Fires Creek | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Sep 28–Oct 2 |
9 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. Big Snowbird Creek, Cheoah Lake, Santeetlah Creek. Remote, wild country with exceptional brook trout habitat in the Nantahala National Forest.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Big Snowbird Creek | Apr 6–10 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 |
5 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. Pigeon River, West Fork Pigeon River DH. Gateway to the Smokies with excellent access and consistent stockings.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Pigeon River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Oct 5–9 |
5 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. Green River (HS & DH), North Fork Mills River DH. The Green River Gorge section is wild and technical. Pack light and hike in.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Mills River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 |
12 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. Tuckasegee River (DH & HS), Scott Creek, Bear Lake. 34,540 fish stocked in 2026. One of the most accessible DH fisheries in western NC.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 5–9 |
6 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. Home of the Nantahala River, one of the most fished and most searched trout destinations in all of western NC.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Nantahala River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 5–9 |
11 hatchery streams, 3 Delayed Harvest sections. Big Laurel Creek, Shelton Laurel, Spring Creek DH. The French Broad watershed with one of the densest networks of mountain streams in the state.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Big Laurel Creek | Mar 30–Apr 3 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 |
| Shelton Laurel Creek | Mar 30–Apr 3 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 |
| Spring Creek | Apr 6–10 May 4–8 | Nov 9–13 |
4 hatchery streams, 3 Delayed Harvest sections. Catawba River (HS & DH), Curtis Creek DH, Mill Creek DH. 12,797 fish stocked in 2026. Most DH sections of any county in District 8.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Curtis Creek | Mar 9–13 May 11–15 | Oct 5–9 |
| Mill Creek | Mar 9–13 May 11–15 | Oct 5–9 |
| Catawba River | Mar 9–13 May 11–15 | Oct 5–9 |
4 hatchery streams, 2 Delayed Harvest sections. North Toe River (HS & DH), Cane Creek DH, Big Rock Creek. 9,798 fish stocked in 2026. High-elevation watershed near Roan Mountain.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Cane Creek | Mar 9–13 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Oct 5–9 |
| North Toe River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 12–16 |
2 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. Green River DH (Fishtop Falls), Pacolet River. 7,200 fish stocked in 2026. Foothills gorge fishing with a late-fall stocking event in November.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Green River | Apr 6–10 May 4–8 | Nov 9–13 |
1 hatchery stream. Rocky Broad River near Chimney Rock. 2,946 fish stocked in 2026. The only designated trout water in the county. Stocking months: March and May only. No fall stocking.
View Full County Guide →1 hatchery stream, 1 stocked lake. Dan River and Hanging Rock Lake inside Hanging Rock State Park. 3,113 fish stocked in 2026. Rainbow only in the lake. Stocking months: April and October only.
View Full County Guide →6 hatchery streams, 2 Delayed Harvest sections. Ararat River (HS & DH), Mitchell River DH, Fisher River. 15,333 fish stocked in 2026. Four stocking events on both DH streams including a rare November window.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Ararat River | Mar 2–6 May 11–15 | Oct 12–16 Nov 9–13 |
| Mitchell River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 5–9 Nov 2–6 |
4 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. Tuckasegee River DH, Nantahala River, Oconaluftee River. 16,000 fish stocked in 2026. Two of NC's most iconic trout rivers plus EBCI tribal waters.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River | Mar 30–Apr 3 May 4–8 | Nov 2–6 |
4 hatchery streams, 2 Delayed Harvest sections. The Davidson River is arguably the most iconic fly fishing destination in North Carolina. Technical water, beautiful scenery, and worth every fish.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork French Broad River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Oct 5–9 |
| Little River | Mar 30–Apr 3 May 4–8 | Nov 9–13 |
13 hatchery streams, 2 Delayed Harvest sections. Watauga River, South Fork New River, Lake Coffey DH. One of the highest-density stocking counties in the western mountains.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Watauga River | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 12–16 Nov 9–13 |
| Lake Coffey | Mar 2–6 May 4–8 | Oct 12–16 Nov 9–13 |
11 hatchery streams, 4 Delayed Harvest sections. Reddies River, East Prong Roaring River, Elk Creek DH, Stone Mountain Creek. 16,316 fish stocked in 2026. The most DH streams of any single county in the program.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| East Prong Roaring River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 |
| Stone Mountain Creek | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 |
| Reddies River | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 |
| Elk Creek | Mar 2–6 Apr 27–May 1 | Sep 28–Oct 2 Nov 2–6 |
4 hatchery streams, 1 Delayed Harvest section. South Toe River, Cane River (HS & DH), Bald Mountain Creek. 10,073 fish stocked in 2026. In the shadow of Mt. Mitchell, with some of the highest trout water in the East.
| DH Stream | Spring Weeks | Fall Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Cane River | Mar 9–13 May 11–15 | Oct 5–9 |
The stocking schedule on this page tells you which weeks NCWRC plans to stock each stream. The NCWRC daily stocking report tells you whether it actually happened, and when. Weather, equipment issues, and hatchery capacity can push a stocking event by several days without any change to the printed schedule. The weekly report is the difference between driving two hours to a stream that got stocked Thursday and arriving on a Tuesday morning before the truck has run.
Go to ncwildlife.org
Navigate to the Fishing section and look for Trout Stocking. NCWRC publishes weekly updates during active stocking seasons: spring and fall.
Find the Weekly Report
The report lists every stream stocked that week by county and district. Look for your target stream. If it's on the list, the fish are in the water.
Check the Stocking Date
The report shows the date each stream was stocked. Fresh stockings (within 24 to 72 hours) fish very differently than week-old stockings. Plan accordingly.
Cross-Reference the DH Schedule
For Delayed Harvest waters, compare the report date against the schedule above. If the truck ran early in the window, a second event may still be coming.
Pro tip: The report is updated weekly during stocking season. Bookmark it and check it Monday morning before planning weekend trips. If your stream isn't on the most recent report, check whether it's within its scheduled stocking window. It may still be coming that week. If it's outside the window entirely, the next event won't be until the following stocking season.
Fly selection on stocked water follows a predictable pattern based on how recently fish were stocked and what water type you're on. Freshly stocked Hatchery Supported fish respond to attractor patterns and food-imitating presentations. Fish on Delayed Harvest water that have been in the stream for a few weeks get selective fast and require smaller, more precise presentations. Wild trout in the mix demand the same approach as DH fish but with even more attention to drag and presentation. Here's what to throw in each scenario.
Fresh Hatchery Stocking (0 to 72 Hours Post-Stock)
Newly stocked fish come out of hatchery raceways conditioned to pellet feed. They're aggressive, disoriented, and not yet selective. Large, visible, food-imitating patterns do the most damage immediately after a stocking event.
Top patterns: San Juan Worm (red or pink, size 10–14), Egg patterns (chartreuse or orange, size 10–12), Wooly Bugger (olive, black, or brown, size 8–10), Pheasant Tail Nymph (size 12–14), Copper John (size 12–14). Fish these on a tight line nymphing rig or under a strike indicator. The bite window for fresh-stocked fish is real. Plan your trip 24 to 48 hours after the truck runs for maximum action.
Delayed Harvest Water: Pressured, Selective Fish
DH fish see thousands of flies over the course of a season. They get selective within days of stocking and require a completely different approach. Downsize everything: flies, tippet, indicator, and the speed of your presentation.
Top patterns: Zebra Midge (size 18–22), RS2 (size 20–22), Parachute Adams (size 14–18), Blue Wing Olive emerger (size 16–20), Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail (size 14–16), Elk Hair Caddis (size 14–16) for surface action. Fish 5X to 6X fluorocarbon tippet. Slow down your drift. If you're fishing the Tuckasegee, the Nantahala, or the Davidson, downsize from whatever you're throwing now.
Wild Trout in the Mix
On streams that carry both stocked and wild fish, most DH sections do, the wild fish are almost always holding in the best lies: heads of pools, seams behind structure, undercut banks. They require the same presentation approach as DH fish but with one additional variable: stealth. Wild fish feel vibration. Slow down your approach well before you reach the water.
Top patterns: Parachute Adams (size 14–20), Elk Hair Caddis (size 14–18), Hare's Ear Nymph (size 12–16), CDC Emerger (size 16–20), Sparkle Dun (size 16–18). Use the hatch to guide your choice. Check the WNC Trout Hatch Chart before you head out to know what's likely on the water.
The Essentials Fly Box: 82 Patterns, Ready to Fish
Built specifically for NC trout water, with dry flies, nymphs, and midge patterns that cover every scenario from fresh-stocked Hatchery Supported water to pressured DH sections. Loaded, organized, and ready to go straight from the box.
Plan Your Trip
NC Trout Streams and Stocking Map
Browse all 25 WNC counties with GPS coordinates, stream access points, regulation types, and full stocking details.
Match the Hatch
WNC Trout Hatch Chart
Month-by-month hatch timing for tailwaters, freestone streams, and high-elevation water, with fly recommendations for every window.
A valid NC Fishing License plus a NC Trout License are required to fish any designated trout waters in the state, including all Hatchery Supported, Delayed Harvest, Wild Trout, and C&R waters. Licenses are available online at ncwildlife.org or at licensed agents throughout the state.
Stocking dates, regulation boundaries, and special rules are subject to change each year. Always verify current regulations at the NCWRC website before your trip. The information on this page reflects 2026 NCWRC data and is updated annually, but never substitute this guide for the official regulations.
Verify current regulations at ncwildlife.org before fishing.
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