Fishing in Max Patch Pond, Madison County, North Carolina

If you are planning a day trip to the Max Patch Bald on the Appalachian Trail, toss your fishing pole in the trunk and take a brief “detour” to throw a line in. This pond is about ¼ mile beyond the parking for the Max Patch Bald. It is about 1 to 1 ½ acres in size and usually rapidly is fished out after it is stocked.

Directions: From Hot Springs, take highway 209 south to the sign for Max Patch which is a right turn onto Meadow Fork Road. Follow the signs for a left onto Little Creek Road and follow the signs to Max Patch Bald.

Fishing in Little Ivy Creek, Madison County, North Carolina

Located in the Mars Hill area, convenient to the I 26 coming from Asheville, Little Ivy Creek is stocked from March through June because often when the temperature gets too hot and the water too low, it will not support the fish so it may not be stocked. This narrow creek fishing area begins at the confluence of Middle Fork and Paint Fork at Beech Glen and continues to the confluence with Ivy Creek at Forks of Ivy. The creek parallels the road.

Fishing in Big Pine Creek, Madison County, North Carolina

Located in the Marshall area, Big Pine Creek is stocked with trout from March to June. After that, often the weather is too hot and the water too low to support the fish so it may not be stocked. This is a small stream which is about 8 to 10 feet wide and the fishing stretches from the French Broad River on Big Pine Road to the State Road 1151 bridge.

Fishing in Big Laurel Creek (Hatchery-supported), Madison County, North Carolina

Big Laurel Creek is a hatchery-supported trout stream that begins in the northeast corner of Madison County and flows down a steep and winding mountain valley for approximately 20 miles to its convergence with Laurel River. Its head waters are comprised of Puncheon Fork Branch and Laurel Valley Branch. These two streams begin on Bald Mountain and converge at the Ebbs Chapel Community Center and become Big Laurel Creek.

Fish The Laurel River Trail in Madison County, North Carolina

If you enjoy a quiet walk, beautiful scenery, and some terrific trout and small mouth bass fishing you will want to give the last four miles of the Big Laurel River a try before you leave Madison County. This section of the Laurel is the boldest part of the stream with swift runs and riffles along with deep, dark holes where large trout and small mouth bass can grow to impressive size.

Fish Shelton Laurel Creek (Delayed Harvest) Madison County, NC

As a Delayed Harvest Stream, the Shelton Laurel Creek section of the Laurel River is heavily stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout from the first of October until the first Saturday in June when it takes on the Hatchery Supported designation and carries that designation until the next October 1st. The entire 3.6 mile stretch of water runs along NC Highway 208 and is accessible from this road.