Logged catches
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Nantahala Lake fishing reports
6 in · 3 lb
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When are Largemouth Bass biting on Nantahala Lake?
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Fishing regulations at Nantahala Lake, NC
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in North Carolina can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Smallmouth bass as of April 24th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
Min size
Measurement
All public waters except those listed below:
14-inch minimum, except 2 may be less than 14 inches
Limit 5, including only 2 less than 14 inches
Lake Chatuge (Clay Co.): No minimum size limit; 10 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Alabama bass, and spotted bass in combination
New River (Alleghany Co. portion downstream of Fields Dam in Grayson Co., VA): No minimum size limit, none between 14-22 inches may be possessed, and only 1 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, or spotted bass may be greater than 22 inches; Limit 5 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass in combination, including only 1 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, or spotted bass greater than 22 inches
Lake Santeetlah (Graham Co.): No minimum size limit, and only 5 large- mouth bass and smallmouth bass in com- bination may be greater than 14 inches; No daily creel limit for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass less than 14 inches, and only 5 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in combination may be greater than 14 inches
For more information please see https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing/regulations
Micropterus dolomieui
Regulations for
FAQ about Nantahala Lake fishing
- Smallmouth bass - 17 members reported to have caught this fish
- Largemouth bass - 13 members reported to have caught this fish
- Bluegill - 10 members reported to have caught this fish
- @KrappieKingdom reported a nice Walleye.
- @Offline_Outdoorsman reported a nice Rainbow trout.
- @Offline_Outdoorsman reported a nice Rainbow trout.
- @isaacatkins reported a nice Largemouth bass.
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