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Lake James

Lake fishing  North Carolina · 06:11 - 20:46

Lake James is a lake in North Carolina. The fish here are ranked by weather, water temperature and season, see the likely catch below.

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Conditions right now

Weather
Clear sky
Water temp (est.)
72°F
Air temp
66°F
Wind
5 mph
Pressure
29.87 inHg → stable
Clouds
5.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dusk 19:31–21:31 Night 21:31–05:26

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

Next hours

08:00
66°
09:00
71°
10:00
74°
11:00
76°
12:00
79°
13:00
80°
14:00
81°
15:00
81°
16:00
82°
17:00
83°
18:00
82°
19:00
81°

Likely catch now (12 species)

Flathead Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
19%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season.
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Blue Catfish
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
19%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
18%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Common Carp
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
18%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season.
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Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
5%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
5%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Black Crappie
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
3%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
3%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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Bluegill
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
3%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season.
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Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
3%
Slow during the night, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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White Bass
White Bass
Morone chrysops
2%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
2%
Slow during the night, bright sky slows things.
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About the fishing here

Lake James is a lake in North Carolina.

Popular catches here include Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass.

Flathead Catfish fishing is usually best around Jun-Aug. The best windows are usually dusk and night.

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.

Tips right now

Technique Start with a deadbait for flathead catfish, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for flathead catfish at night. Fish hard now.
Lure Deadbait for flathead catfish: Live or whole baitfish.
Colour Clear water and good light: try live bait, colour secondary for flathead catfish.
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

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?

Popular catches here include Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie and Striped Bass.

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?

Flathead Catfish fishing is usually best around Jun-Aug. The best windows are usually dusk and night.

What is biting at Lake James right now?

Right now Flathead Catfish is the most likely catch, at about 19%.