Lake James

Lake fishing North Carolina · 07:10 - 19:35

Lake James is a lake set in North Carolina. Most people come here for White Bass, Bluegill and Smallmouth Bass.

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Good 62% The bite right now

Top bet: White Bass Active through the day, water near its preferred 24 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

78%

87°

Thu

78%

90°

Fri

75%

89°

Sat

82%

77°

Best day

Sun

77%

81°

Mon

73%

83°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather

Partly cloudy

Water temp (est.)

75°F

Air temp

79°F

Wind

4 mph

Pressure

30.27 inHg ↑ rising

Clouds

48.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-09-15 22:17

Best times today

Dawn 06:25–08:25 Day 08:25–18:20 Dusk 18:20–20:20

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 14% lit

Major period 15:38–17:38 Major period 03:38–05:38 Minor period 10:53–12:23 Minor period 20:52–22:22

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

16:00

79°

17:00

80°

18:00

78°

19:00

76°

20:00

72°

21:00

71°

22:00

71°

23:00

70°

00:00

69°

01:00

69°

02:00

68°

03:00

67°

Likely catch now (12 species)

White Bass

Morone chrysops

62%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 24 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

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Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

62%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 24 degrees.

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Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

53%

Water near its preferred 24 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.

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Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

51%

Water near its preferred 24 degrees, peak season.

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Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

35%

Water near its preferred 24 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

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Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

27%

Peak season.

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About the fishing here

The usual catches here are White Bass, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass and Rainbow Trout.

White Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a spoon for white bass, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for white bass at the day. Fish hard now.

Lure Spoon for white bass: Small shiny spoon in the school.

Colour Clear water and good light: try silver, white and shiny for white bass.

Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

Lake James is a large reservoir in the mountains of Western North Carolina which straddles the border between Burke and McDowell Counties. It is named for tobacco tycoon and benefactor of Duke University James Buchanan Duke. The lake, with surface elevation of 1200 ft, lies behind a series of 3 earthen dams. It was created by Duke Power between 1916 and 1923 as a hydro-electric project. It still generates power today and is the uppermost lake on the Catawba River system.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Linville River North Carolina · 11.7 mi away Linville River North Carolina · 12.4 mi away Linville River North Carolina · 13.1 mi away Bald Mountain Lake North Carolina · 25.2 mi away Watauga Lake Tennessee · 40.2 mi away Lake William C Bowen South Carolina · 45.4 mi away Lake Cooley South Carolina · 53.1 mi away Boone Lake Tennessee · 53.3 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake James?

Anglers here regularly land White Bass, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Black Crappie.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake James?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake James?

White Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Lake James right now?

Right now White Bass is the most likely catch, at about 26%.