2025 N.C. Trout Waters Assessment Underway

Green River at damaged pump house

While residents of Western North Carolina continue to recover after the devastation from Hurricane Helene in September 2024, state officials are looking at how the catastrophic storm impacted local fish and wildlife.

Of specific interest is how the mountain trout fisheries are recovering from the torrential amount of rain that fell. It turns out that some of the trout survived the flooding, and their dispersion is fairly good, although overall trout numbers remain down.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) began assessing all trout waters in January 2025 and while most streams were able to be stocked this year, a few public mountain trout waters were not stocked due to a variety of conditions, from changes in the terrain to the accessibility for anglers.

Pacolet River reconstruction July 2025

To view the entire feature story in the Post and Courier click on Tideline. 

To view a past blog entry about the N.C. Fly Fishing click Jackson County or Hazel Creek, Smokies or Rivercourse.

To view past blog entries from Tideline click on SC7 Expedition -  July Saltwater Fishing Report -  Summer Sailstice -  Huk Charleston Cobia Cup - Carolina Ladies Billfish Classic - SC Coastal Fishing Guides / Release Over 20 - June Saltwater Forecast - SC Blue Marlin Invitational - Veterans Catfishing - Mother's Day Gift Guide - SCDNR Director - May '25 Outdoors Calendar -  Shorebird Stewards   April Saltwater Fishing -  Turkey Season Gear - Spring Conservation Calendar -  Edisto Flora and Fauna -  Horseshoe Crab Research -  Bird Banding Conference - ACE Basin Refuge -  2025 SE Wildlife Expo - S.C. Master Naturalist