Fishing Sunset Lake in Wake County, North Carolina

• Overview

  Wake County in North Carolina is where Sunset Lake sits. It sits at 312 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 99 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. About 1.8 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. On our Wake County list it sits near the top for size. Holly Springs is the closest town at 2.4 miles. The nearest city of size is Cary, 9.9 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Sunset Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Across Wake County, recorded fish include bluegill, redbreast sunfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass and black crappie. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Sunset Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 79°F and January reads 40°F. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. It sets the rhythm of the year at Sunset Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. There is a jetty 0.9 miles off, worth knowing on a busy day. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Bass Lake, 0.8 miles out. Treat Sunset Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.