There are nearly 720 acres of fishable water within Lake Toxaway Estates all of which can be classified as prime fisheries. The two lakes plus the Children’s Pond contain multiple species of fish, most of which are considered quite tasty.
Fishing licenses: North Carolina fishing licenses are required for all fishermen with exception of those fishing from their own dock / shoreline. The closest places to purchase a fishing license are McNeeley’s Ace Hardware, Lake Toxawy Trading Post and, Headwater Outfitters all of which are located close by on Highway 64. Licenses may also be obtained on line at:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Licensing/Licenses-and-Regulations
As of 2017 most resident licenses will cost in the area of $20.00 and, may go as low as $7.00. Non-resident licenses range from $38.00 for an annual license down to $18.00 for a ten day license. Fishing without a license is poaching. Poachers will incur a fine and your their fishing gear will be confiscated.
Lake Toxaway: The lake’s 640 acres contain both large and small mouth bass, walleye, rainbow, brown, a few wild brook trout, bluegill plus, some monster catfish.
The LTCA has contracted with the award winning Davidson River Outfitters to be the exclusive guiding service on Lake Toxaway. Additionally, those wishing to fly-fish locally in the Pisgah Forest, Smoky Mountain National Park or, any of Western NCs 1000+ miles of fishable streams should also contact Davidson River Outfitters at 828-877-4181.
Lake Cardinal: The entire perimiter of Lake Cardinal consists of private property. As such, the lake may be accessed from a residents dock only. Access via the dam is strictly prohibited.
Lake C is the home to large and small mouth bass, rainbow trout and bluegill. Due to the lack of two legged two leg preditors these fish have become quite catchable and often quite large. We suggest you butter up an Lake C property owner and … a frying pan.
The Children’s Pond: Located on Toxaway Drive half-way up the mountain towards Medow Ridge, The Children’s Pond is stocked and maintained specifically but, not exclusively for the enjoyment of LT’s younger set. Children fourteen and under are permitted to catch and keep up to four fish per day. Those over fourteen are required to adhere to our ‘Catch and Release’ requirements.
The pond is stocked just prior to Memorial Day weekend with several hundred pounds of rainbow trout. In addition the pond is host to largemouth bass and bluegill. Experienced parents and grandparents have reported that niblets of corn and worms are the baits of choice. The latter may be purchased at either the Trading Post or McNeeley’s.
Otters: Please be on the lookout for otters in the Children’s Pond and, if you see any please report them to the POA office: 828-966-9453. Otters kill fish not only for food but also the fun of the chase. One otter alone may kill as many as fifteen fish per day. Please take the time to report any otter sightings.
Toxaway River: Those hiking the Toxaway Trail willross over a small stream which is actually the headwater of the Toxaway River. It is the environmentally fragil home of small, wild rainbow trout. These fish have a tough life trying to eek out an existance in a stream nearly devoid of entomoligical life, bugs to eat. If there is a fish as large as seven inches in this section of the stream would be considered a whopper. Although North Carolina regulations permit fishing in the stream, we request that those who do, do so with single hook lures or flies only. To be honest, these fish are more fun to observe than catch.
A Bit More About The Fishing Spots…
Caney Fork
The Stretch: Roughly 10 miles from East Laporte Park to headwaters at fork of Mull Creek and Piney Mountain Creek
Access Point(s): Access via Caney Fork Road (SR 1737), avoid posted land
Type of Water: Undesignated
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brown, occasional Brook
Noteworthy: Respect private land owners
Tanasee Creek
The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles from Tanasee Creek bridge up to headwaters
Access Point(s): Parking and access available at bridge on Tanasee Creek Road (SR 1762)
Type of Water: Wild Trout
Available Fish: Brown
Noteworthy: Very scenic stretch in the Nantahala National Forest
Panthertown Creek
The Stretch: Entire stream, roughly 3 miles
Access Point(s): Parking and access at end of Breedlove Rd (SR 1121), with 2-mile walk to creek
Type of Water: Catch & Release Single Hook Artificial Lure
Available Fish: Brook
Noteworthy: Located in Panthertown Valley, which is known as the “Yosemite of the East” because of its bowl shape and rocky bluffs
Raven Fork (Cherokee Trophy Water)
The Stretch: Starts at Blue Ridge Parkway bridge near Cherokee and goes north for 2.2 miles
Access Point(s): Parking & access via several pull-off areas along Big Cove Road; paths run along stream
Type of Water: Catch & Release Fly Fishing Only
Available Fish: Golden, Rainbow, Brown, Brook & Donaldson trout
Noteworthy: This stretch is also called Cherokee Trophy Water and fish of 20-30 inches are common; Cherokee annual permit and daily permit required
Whitewater River
The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles from Hwy. 107 down to the South Carolina state line
Access Point(s): Parking and access along N.C. 107, a few miles south of Cashiers
Type of Water: Wild Trout
Available Fish: Brook, Brown and Rainbow
Noteworthy: Flows into Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi
Scotman and Fowler Creeks into Chattooga River
The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles of each stream flowing down into the Chattooga River
Access Point(s): Access available via Whiteside Cove Rd (SR 1107) or Bullpen Rd (SR 1100) in Nantahala National Forest
Type of Water: Wild Trout with Natural Bait
Available Fish: Brown, Rainbow
Noteworthy: The movie Deliverance was filmed on the Chattooga River
West Fork Tuckasegee River
The Stretch: From small reservoir at Thorpe Power House upstream several hundred yards
Access Point(s): Parking and access available both sides of N.C. 107 near Thorpe Power House
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Brown, Rainbow
Noteworthy: Although hatchery supported, this has nice concentration of stream-raised fish
Tuckasegee River (East Laporte Park to NC 107 Bridge)
The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles from park to bridge
Access Point(s): Parking and access available at East Laporte Park and pull-off areas along Old Cullowhee Road
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brook and Brown
To catch the fishing fever (and possibly a rainbow trout), visit:
- At The Ridge –Trout Fishing (828) 877-2172
- Blue Line Anglers (828) 367-7363
- Davidson River Outfitters (828) 877-4181
- Headwaters Outfitters (828) 877-3106
- East Fork Farm Guide Services
- Flymen Fishing Company (704) 846-2634
- Marcum’s Buck & Bass (828) 966-4484
- Salmonid Farms (828) 966-9646
- Gorges State Park
- Pisgah National Forest
- Dupont State Recreational Forest
Visitors interested in casting a line may also want to visit www.ncwildlife.org for information on permits, licensing and further information on North Carolina’s aquatic life.