Buckhorn Reservoir, North Carolina: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Buckhorn Reservoir in the Johnston County part of North Carolina. Country round the bank runs to dry hill. This is sizeable water at about 3.5 sq miles, and a boat opens up most of it. Nothing else we list in Johnston County covers more water. Some 7.9 miles away sits Kenly, the nearest settlement. Lucama lies 9.1 miles off, Zebulon another 12 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Buckhorn Reservoir

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Across Johnston County, recorded fish include bluegill, American eel, margined madtom, channel catfish and green sunfish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The shape of Buckhorn Reservoir decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 79°F, while January sits near 40°F. The season runs year-round, with the peak either side of summer. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Buckhorn Reservoir runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Camp Charles Lake at 3.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at Buckhorn Reservoir are worth checking on the day.