Best Fishing Spots in the Triad NC: Lakes, Rivers & Family-Friendly Places (2026)
Looking for the best fishing spots in the NC Triad? Whether you’re an experienced angler, a weekend hobbyist, or a parent teaching your kids how to fish for the first time, the Triad offers a wide variety of lakes, rivers, ponds, and family-friendly fishing locations. Many of these areas are home to a variety of fish, feature nearby playgrounds and open green space, and are located within city limits — making them easy for visitors and local families alike to enjoy.
From small community ponds to larger lakes spanning hundreds of acres, the Triad provides fishing opportunities that fit every comfort level. Some locations are quiet and tucked away, while others are part of larger parks with walking trails and amenities. All public fishing areas are subject to NC Wildlife Commission rules, so it’s important to follow current regulations before casting a line.
This guide highlights where to go fishing in the Triad, with options for beginners, kids, and seasoned anglers across Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Burlington, Kernersville, and surrounding communities.
Best Family-Friendly Fishing Spots in the NC Triad
Family-friendly fishing spots in the Triad are popular because they combine calm water, a variety of fish, and nearby amenities. Many of these locations are managed or supported through state and local programs and follow NC Wildlife Commission rules to help maintain healthy fish populations.
These spots are especially appealing to visitors who want an easy, low-planning outdoor activity that doesn’t require a boat or advanced experience.
Best Fishing Spots in Burlington
Lake Cammack
Address: 4790 Union Ridge Road Burlington, NC 27217
Types of Fish Available: Largemouth bass, chain pickerel, redear sunfish and white bass.
Lake Cedarock Park
Address: 4242 R. Dean Coleman Rd. Burlington, N.C., 27215
Types of Fish Available: stocked with catfish and bream year-round, and trout in the winter months.
Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina
Address: 2704 Huffman Mill Rd. Burlington, NC 27215
Types of Fish Available: Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, and Bluegill.
Stoney Creek
Address: 1785 Faulkner Dr. Burlington, NC 27217
Types of Fish Available: largemouth bass, crappie (black and white), catfish (channel and bullhead), and various sunfish like bluegill
Best Fishing Spots in Greensboro
Bur-Mil Park
Address: Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway, Greensboro, NC 27410
Types of Fish Available: Bass, catfish, bream, and sunfish.
Info: Bur-Mil Park is one of Greensboro’s most beloved outdoor destinations, combining fishing access with walking trails, an accessible playground, a wildlife education center, and picnic areas. The Loan-A-Rod program available at the park makes this particularly family-friendly for beginner anglers — no gear required.
Lake Brandt Marina
Address: 5945 Lake Brandt Rd, Greensboro, NC 27455
Types of Fish Available: Largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish.
Info: One of Greensboro’s most scenic and well-stocked fishing destinations. Lake Brandt is a reservoir lake that rewards patient anglers with consistent catches of largemouth bass and catfish. The surrounding Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway provides beautiful walking and biking trails alongside the lake.
Lake Higgins
Address: 4235 Hamburg Mill Rd, Greensboro, NC 27358 Types of Fish Available: Trout and catfish. Info: Lake Higgins offers a quieter, more remote fishing experience compared to the city’s busier park lakes. Known for both trout and catfish — a good pick for anglers who want a change of pace from the more commonly visited spots.
Southwest Park
Address: 6309 Southwest Park Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407
Types of Fish Available: Largemouth bass, catfish, bream, and sunfish. Info: Southwest Park features a lake, playground, picnic areas, and walking trails that make it a full-family destination. The fishing here is consistently good for largemouth bass and catfish, and the combination of outdoor amenities makes it easy to spend a full afternoon whether everyone wants to fish or not. See our Southwest Park guide for more on everything the park offers.
Hester Park
Address: 3901 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro, NC 27405
Types of Fish Available: Bass, catfish, and bream.
Info: Hester Park is a community park in northeast Greensboro featuring a fishing pond that’s perfect for families and casual anglers. The park offers a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere with green space, a playground, and picnic areas alongside the fishing pond — making it an easy destination for a low-key family outing without a long drive. A genuinely underused gem for Greensboro families looking for a close-to-home fishing spot. See a full Hester Park guide for everything else the park has going on.
Gibson Park
Address: 5207 W. Wendover Ave, High Point, NC 27265 Types of Fish Available: Trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. Info: Gibson Park offers excellent variety for a city park pond — the combination of trout alongside bass and catfish gives anglers multiple targets in one spot. A solid pick for families in the western High Point area.
High Point City Lake Park
Address: 602 W. Main St, Jamestown, NC 27282 Types of Fish Available: Largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. Info: A well-maintained lake within a beautiful city park in Jamestown. The setting is particularly lovely and the fishing is reliable across the three most common Triad park species. Combine with a walk around the lake for a pleasant full outing. Also be sure to check out our post: Family Fun Day at High Point City Lake Park
Oak Hollow Lake
Address: 3431 N Centennial Street, High Point, NC 27265 Types of Fish Available: Sunfish, catfish, white crappie, black crappie, and largemouth bass. Info: Oak Hollow Lake is one of the larger and more diverse fishing spots in the High Point area. The five-species variety makes this a strong pick for anglers who want options — crappie fishing is particularly notable here.
Best Fishing Spots in Kernersville
Century Lake Park
Address: 309 Century Blvd, Kernersville, NC 27284
Types of Fish Available: hybrid bluegill, large-mouth bass, black crappie and catfish
Kernersville Lake Park
Address: 6408 Old Valley School Road Kernersville, NC, 27284
Types of Fish Available: catfish, bass, and bream
Best Fishing Spots in Winston-Salem
CG Hill Memorial Park
Address: 5600 Balsom Rd, Pfafftown, NC 27040
Types of Fish Available: Channel catfish (stocked), Largemouth bass, Sunfish (Bluegill)
Salem Lake
Address: 815 Salem Lake Road Winston-Salem, NC 27107
Types of Fish Available: Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass, Flathead catfish, Crappies,. Channel catfish
Winston Lake
Address: 2801 New Walkertown Rd Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Types of Fish Available: Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, and Black crappie
Best Fishing Spots in Areas Surrounding the Triad
Badin Lake
Address: multiple access points
Types of Fish Available: largemouth/spotted bass, black crappie, and catfish
Belews Lake
Address: multiple access points
Types of Fish Available: bass (Spotted, Largemouth, Smallmouth) and Bluegill
Dan River
Address: multiple access points
Types of Fish Available: catfish, black bass, and several kinds of sunfish
Guilford County Farm
Address: 7315 Howerton Road Gibsonville, NC 27244
Types of Fish Available: largemouth bass, sunfish, bream, crappie, and channel catfish.
Guilford-Mackintosh
Address: 1345 NC HWY 61 Whitsett, NC 27377
Types of Fish Available: largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. It is also known for supporting populations of black crappie, white bass, white perch, and yellow perch.
Hagan-Stone Park
Address: 5920 Hagan-Stone Park Rd, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313
Types of Fish Available: Largemouth bass, bream, crappie and catfish
Hanging Rock
Address: 2847 Hanging Rock Park Road, Westfield, NC 27053.
Types of Fish Available: largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and some channel catfish
High Rock Lake
Address: 9120 Bringle Ferry Rd. Salisbury, NC 28147
Types of Fish Available: bass, crappie, catfish and stripers
Hyco Lake
Address: multiple access points
Types of Fish Available: bass, crappie, catfish, and stripers
Lake Norman
Address: Multiple access points
Types of Fish Available: bass, catfish, crappie, and stripers
Lake Townsend
Address: 6332 Townsend Rd. Browns Summit, NC 27214
Types of Fish Available: largemouth bass, hybrid bass, striped bass, catfish, and crappie.
Northeast Park
Address: 3441 Northeast Park Drive, Gibsonville, NC 27249
Types of Fish Available: crappy, bass, catfish, brim, and pan fish from the banks of Bass Pond or they can cast off in the shallow waters of Reedy Fork Creek.
Old US 421 River Park
Address: 7695 Yadkinville Rd, Lewisville, NC 27023
Types of Fish Available: Largemouth Bass, Catfish (including Channel and Flathead), Crappie, White Perch, Sunfish, and Shad
Randleman Lake
Address: 7123 Adams Farm Rd. Randleman, NC 27317
Types of Fish Available: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and pan fish
Tanglewood Park
Address: 4061 Clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC 27012
Types of Fish Available: largemouth bass, along with bluegill, spotted bass, and sunfish
Village point greenway
Address: 6610 Village Point Lake Dr, Clemmons, NC 27012
Types of Fish Available: largemouth bass, channel catfish, and various sunfish, particularly bluegill. Other species often caught in the lake include crappie, redear sunfish, and warmouth
Yadkin River
Address: Access points are available at Crater Park in Elkin, the U.S. 601 bridge, Rockford, and at Shoals Road, north of East Bend
Types of Fish Available: bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted), catfish (channel, flathead, blue), and sunfish
Why the Triad Is Great for Fishing
The Triad offers fishing opportunities that range from small neighborhood ponds to large lakes covering hundreds of acres. Many of these fishing spots are located within city limits, making them easy to access for both residents and visitors.
Because several fishing areas are part of public parks, families often find playgrounds, walking trails, and picnic areas nearby. This makes it easy to turn a fishing trip into a full outdoor outing, especially when fishing with kids.
Do You Need a Fishing License in the NC Triad?
A North Carolina fishing license is required for anyone age 16 and older who plans to fish in public waters, including lakes, rivers, and community ponds.
Children under 16 do not need a license when fishing with a licensed adult. Always check current regulations before heading out.
Tips for Fishing in the NC Triad With Kids
Fishing with kids doesn’t need to be complicated. Simple planning goes a long way.
Choose stocked ponds for better catch rates. Use basic rods and live bait like worms. Fish early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Keep trips short and focus on fun. Snacks help.
Final Thoughts on Fishing in the NC Triad
The Triad offers some of the best fishing opportunities in central North Carolina, especially for families and beginners. Whether you prefer quiet ponds, scenic rivers, or larger lakes, there’s a fishing spot that fits your style.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing in the NC Triad
Are Triad fishing spots located within city limits?
Many fishing spots in the Triad are located within city limits, especially community ponds and city-managed lakes. These locations are popular with families and visitors because they are easy to reach for bank fishing and often include nearby playgrounds and park amenities.
Do NC Wildlife Commission rules apply to all fishing spots in the Triad?
Yes. All public fishing locations in the Triad are subject to NC Wildlife Commission rules. This includes ponds, lakes, and rivers. Regulations may vary by location and species, so checking current rules before fishing is recommended.
Are there fishing spots with playgrounds nearby?
Yes. Several family-friendly fishing spots in the Triad are located within parks that also feature playgrounds, walking trails, and picnic areas. These locations are ideal for families with younger children or groups with mixed interests.
How big are fishing lakes in the NC Triad?
Fishing lakes in the Triad range in size from small ponds to lakes covering hundreds of acres. Larger lakes offer more space and fish variety, while smaller ponds are often better for beginners and kids.
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