North Carolina Bass Stocking Schedule
Normalized public-agency records with timing guidance and official source links.
Quick answer: North Carolina bass stocking timing varies by waterbody. Trout schedules concentrate in spring with delayed-harvest work again in fall. Hatchery renovation is reducing some trout stockings in 2026 and potentially the following seasons, so current notices matter. Our latest normalized snapshot shows 0 reported bass stocking rows during the past 30 days (16 in the trailing 24 months). Data was retrieved July 19, 2026 from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 2026 Warmwater Stocking List; confirm current conditions with the official report.
When to go
Stocked bass may disperse quickly; fish cover and drop-offs near the plant site for one to two weeks after release.
Typical window after a catchable plant: 3–14 days
Recent bass stockings
| Date | Waterbody | Species | Count | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | Badin Lake | Striped Bass | 64,000 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Gaston Reservoir | Striped Bass | 406,000 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | High Rock Lake | Striped Bass | 39,500 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Hiwassee Lake | Striped Bass | 6,000 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Lake Hickory | Striped Bass | 20,500 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Lake Minehaha | Largemouth Bass | 300 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Lake Rhodhiss | Striped Bass | 17,000 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Lookout Shoals Reservoir | Striped Bass | 6,500 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Neuse River | Striped Bass | 100,000 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Rhodes Pond | Largemouth Bass | 500 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Roanoke Rapids Reservoir | Striped Bass | 30,000 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Salisbury City Park Lake | Largemouth Bass | 400 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Tillery Lake | Striped Bass | 27,000 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Tranters Creek | Striped Bass | 500,000 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Tuckertown Lake | Striped Bass | 13,000 | Agency |
| Jan 1, 2026 | W. Kerr Scott Reservoir | Striped Bass | 5,000 | Agency |
FAQ
When are bass stocked in North Carolina?
Trout schedules concentrate in spring with delayed-harvest work again in fall. Hatchery renovation is reducing some trout stockings in 2026 and potentially the following seasons, so current notices matter. Recent normalized rows: 0 in the last 30 days.
How soon after bass stocking should you fish?
Stocked bass may disperse quickly; fish cover and drop-offs near the plant site for one to two weeks after release. Typical window: 3–14 days.
Where is the official North Carolina stocking report?
Use North Carolina public-water stocking schedules from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. This page is a dated research snapshot, not a live agency feed.
Related: North Carolina stocking guide · Stocking near me map