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FISHING IN SURRY COUNTY - 2009
Trout Fishing
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission works with private landowners to provide public trout fishing in several Surry County streams. The most popular trout fishing destination within the county is the Mitchell River, which is managed under Delayed Harvest regulations. The river is stocked with trout by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission in October, November, March, April, and May, and all trout must be released between October 1st and the first Saturday in June. To minimize injuries to released trout, only artificial lures having a single hook may be used during the catch and release season. Between the first Saturday in June and September 30th, 7 trout per day may be harvested and there are no restrictions on baits than can be used.
Trout fishing is also available on portions of Pauls Creek, Fisher River, Little Fisher River, and Ararat River. These streams are managed under Hatchery Supported regulations and stocked by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission between March and July. Trout season is closed during March, but beginning the first Saturday in April, the season opens and anglers may keep 7 fish per day with no lure restrictions. Note: the Ararat River will be closed in 2009 due to a stream restoration project that is in progress.
All trout streams in Surry County are located on privately owned land, and trout fishing opportunities are made possible by the generosity of these landowners. Show your appreciation by respecting their property while fishing. Failure to do so may result in the closure of these lands to the public!
Bass, Sunfish, and Catfish
Excellent fishing for channel catfish is available in Big Elkin Creek at the Elkin Recreation Center, and at the newly opened Tumbling Rock Reservoir in Westwood Park in Mt. Airy. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission stocks channel catfish into these waters monthly from May-October (stockings won’t begin at Tumbling Rock until July 2009, but they’ll begin in May in subsequent years). These sites feature universally-accessible fishing piers and solar-powered fish feeders to make fishing more enjoyable for all anglers. Additionally, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, and bluegill were stocked into Tumbling Rock Reservoir in 2007 & 2008. Most of these fish will be too small to catch in 2009, but they will provide additional angling opportunities down the road as they have more time to grow.
Additionally, the rivers of Surry County offer fishing opportunities for a variety of species. The Yadkin River provides the opportunity to catch bass (smallmouth, spotted, and largemouth), sunfish, catfish, and suckers. Access points are available at Crater Park in Elkin, the Highway 601 bridge, Rockford, and at Shoals Road, north of East Bend (access points at Hwy. 601 and Shoals Road are on the Yadkin County side of the river). The Mitchell, Fisher, and Ararat Rivers, although smaller than the Yadkin, still offer good fishing for smallmouth bass and sunfish. Most access areas on these rivers are undeveloped sites found at roadside pulloffs and bridge crossings, although Fisher River Park in Dobson provides public access for fishing on the Fisher River (park rules apply to anglers while on park property). Additionally, there is a new public access point on the Mitchell River located on Zephyr-Mountain Park Road.
For more information on fishing regulations and license requirements, visit www.ncwildlife.org.