Gum Lake Fishing in Nash County, North Carolina

• Overview

  North Carolina holds Gum Lake, in Nash County. Around the bank it is pine and hardwood. This is a pocket water of some 4 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Most waters listed here for Nash County are larger. The closest town, Enfield, is 6 miles away. Red Oak is 11 miles away, with Rocky Mount at 14 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Gum Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Nash County records list bluegill, Carolina madtom, margined madtom, redbreast sunfish and Roanoke darter among the fish reported. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Gum Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 79°F and January at 39°F. Cooler months are the productive ones on most of this water. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Plan any trip to Gum Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Bellamys Lake is 0.9 miles off. Confirm access to Gum Lake locally before you travel.