Bailes Old Millpond near Oak Ridge: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Look for Bailes Old Millpond in the Guilford County part of North Carolina. This is dry hill ground. This is a pocket water of some 8 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. For a base, Oak Ridge sits 1.1 miles out. Stokesdale is 5.4 miles and Summerfield 5.5 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Bailes Old Millpond

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Species logged across Guilford County include bluegill, green sunfish, redbreast sunfish and black crappie. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Treat Bailes Old Millpond as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 77°F in July and bottoms out near 37°F in January. Heat sets the pattern from late spring onward. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. On Bailes Old Millpond that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Linville Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Bailes Old Millpond before loading the car.