Lake Raleigh, North Carolina: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake Raleigh lies in Wake County, North Carolina. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and hardwood. West Raleigh lies 1.8 miles from the water. Further out sit Raleigh (2.5 miles) and Garner (5.3 miles). Others worth noting: NCSU Pond Number One a touch under 1.7 miles, Dix Hill Conference Center Pond lies 2.5 miles on, Dover Pond A a touch under 2.7 miles, Maynard Pond lies 5.2 miles on and Dutchmans Branch a touch under 5.3 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lake Raleigh

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Wake County records list bluegill, redbreast sunfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass and black crappie among the fish reported. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Read Lake Raleigh before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 40°F in January up to 79°F in July. The surface stays open the year round. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. It holds true on Lake Raleigh more years than not. Sudden cold puts fish down faster than sustained cold does.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. A slipway is marked about half a mile from here. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, NCSU Pond Number One at 1.7 miles is the nearest alternative. For Lake Raleigh in particular, ask before you travel.