Stokes County NC Trout Fishing
Stokes County
Trout Fishing
Stokes County sits in the northern Piedmont foothills just below the Virginia state line — a long way from the mountain trout waters of WNC, but with a program worth knowing about. Two waters make up the entire county stocking program: the Dan River along the Virginia border and Hanging Rock Lake inside Hanging Rock State Park. The Dan River receives brook, rainbow, and brown trout in March and April. Hanging Rock Lake runs rainbow only with a spring April event and a fall October event. No Delayed Harvest, no May stocking — the windows are March, April, and October.
Hanging Rock Lake is a 12-acre managed lake inside Hanging Rock State Park — one of the most visited state parks in North Carolina. Rainbow trout only — no brook or brown trout stocked. Two events annually: April and October. State park access rules and fees apply in addition to standard NC fishing license requirements. The park setting and October fall stocking make this a destination worth planning around — confirm current park hours and access at ncparks.gov before your trip.
The downstream boundary of the stocked section is 200 yards downstream of the end of SR 1421 — not at the road end itself. This is a measured distance from a road terminus, not a bridge or stream confluence. Identify the end of SR 1421 and measure approximately 200 yards downstream to locate the boundary. Do not fish beyond that point assuming you are still in the stocked section.
| Stream / Section | Miles | GPS |
|---|---|---|
| Dan River — Virginia State Line to 200 Yards Downstream of End of SR 1421 Four miles from the Virginia state line at the upper boundary downstream to a point 200 yards below the end of SR 1421. The Dan River is the only stocked stream in Stokes County and shares the Virginia border country character of the nearby Fisher River and Little Fisher River in adjacent Surry County. The April stocking is considerably heavier than March — 1,290 fish in April versus 623 in March — making the spring April event the primary window for this water. All three species. The Virginia state line provides a defined upper access boundary; SR 1421 at the lower end is the reference landmark for the downstream limit. | 4.0 mi | 36.5500, -80.3500 ↗ |
| Stocking Event | Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout | Brown Trout | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 335 | 335 | 168 | 838 |
| April | 430 | 430 | 215 | 1,075 |
| Annual Total | 765 | 765 | 383 | 1,913 |
Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Stokes County District 7. Stocking months confirmed (March and April) — specific weeks not confirmed. No May or fall stocking. Monitor ncwildlife.gov for stocking reports. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.
Hanging Rock Lake receives rainbow trout only — no brook or brown trout are stocked here. Both the April and October events are equal at 600 rainbows each. The lake is inside Hanging Rock State Park — state park entry fees and rules apply in addition to your NC fishing license. Confirm current access, hours, and any fishing-specific regulations at ncparks.gov before your trip.
| Water / Section | Acres | GPS |
|---|---|---|
| Hanging Rock Lake — Entire Lake · Hanging Rock State Park A 12-acre managed lake inside Hanging Rock State Park near Danbury, NC. Rainbow trout only — 600 fish stocked in April and 600 in October, 1,200 annually. The state park setting brings significant visitor traffic year-round, but trout fishing pressure tends to be concentrated in the days immediately following each stocking event. The October stocking is the fall highlight — cool water temperatures keep fish active longer than the spring events. Bank fishing and small watercraft are the primary access methods on this 12-acre lake. Hanging Rock State Park is one of the most visited parks in NC — arrive early on stocking weekends. | 12 ac | 36.3900, -80.2700 ↗ |
| Stocking Event | Rainbow Trout | Total |
|---|---|---|
| April | 600 | 600 |
| October | 600 | 600 |
| Annual Total | 1,200 | 1,200 |
Source: NCWRC 2026 Master Trout Stocking List — Stokes County District 7. Stocking months confirmed (April and October) — specific weeks not confirmed. Rainbow trout only. State park access rules apply — confirm at ncparks.gov. Dates subject to change — verify at ncwildlife.gov before your trip.
Two Waters. Be Ready for Both.
The Dan River and Hanging Rock Lake fish completely differently — moving water versus a stillwater lake environment. Our All-Water Arsenal covers 74 guide-approved patterns across dries, nymphs, and soft hackles. Everything you need for the Dan River's April window and Hanging Rock Lake's fall October stocking. One box. Both waters.
| Water | Type | Stocking Month(s) | Total Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dan River | HS | March · April | 1,913 |
| Hanging Rock Lake | HS | April · October | 1,200 |
| County Total | — | — | 3,113 |
Stokes County borders Surry County to the west — one of the stronger trout programs in District 7.