The North Mills River is one of the newest streams to be added to the Delayed Harvest program in the state. This mountain freestone stream is also among the best of the state’s conservation efforts, with much work done to improve the stream for wildlife access and habitation. It offers stocked rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout.
This small stream is easy to access and offers good wading levels along its length. It offers a forest canopy that is great to get the fish to come out, but sometimes makes a good cast a little challenging.
The best fishing will be found in the upper part of the North Mills River, but there’s a lot of water to cover that’s worth exploring. This water comes down from a reservoir that flows over a dam, which means that it is often quick to warm up when the weather turns.
Plus, the river is shallower, so it is often best fished in the cooler months of the year when the waters can stay cold enough to keep the trout happy. The North Mills River is located outside of Asheville, offering easy access via most major highways. It’s also part of the North Mills Recreation Area, which is clearly marked.
You’ll find parking in the recreation area, where you’ll register and pay a fee to fish before hitting the water. Keep reading to learn all about exactly where to go and when to visit to get the best experience, and what you’ll need to bring to ensure the fish are biting.
Best Places to Fish the North Mills River
The lower part of the stream is wider and shallower, which means it warms up faster and doesn’t offer a lot potential for hold-over trout. That said, it is stocked heavily and provides good action early in the season. If you want the best fishing in the North Mills River, you’ll want to focus your attention on the upper section of the river.
You can wade in or hike along the shoreline from the Recreation Area, heading upstream through a couple of tight canopy sections. You’ll find some open areas where the creek is wider and will provide plentiful room for casting. Look for deep pools along the way, not only for fish but so that you don’t break an ankle.
When you see the North Mills Recreation Area sign, you’ll drive about five miles down that road until it dead ends. This is where you’ll find the parking lot and registration area, and where you can wade into the river to get started on your fishing.
Feel free to walk up and down the river to test out different areas and see which ones are best for you. The “hot spots” can change from day to day in a fickle, shallower river like this.
Best Time to Fish the North Mills River
You will always find ample opportunities for catching great trout on the early spring days as the hatches are happening. This is prime time for trout in almost every trout fishery in the eastern US, including North Carolina. Spring offers cooler water and plentiful food, which means the fish are less likely to be spooked or discriminate about what they’re eating.
The summer gets too warm in lower areas of this river for any good fishing. And remember with the delayed-harvest regulations, you can’t keep fish in certain areas during the months of June through September. Once things cool down in October, though, you’ll again find the fishing picks up and the trout are more eager trout to take a fly.
Winter offers some potential, but again this depends on the temperatures. If it’s too cool, the fish won’t be biting as much. Check the weather reports, but for the most part, we’ve been having mild winters that make for much better fishing opportunities.
Stream Flow and Current Conditions
Be sure to check the stream conditions before heading out to fish the North Mills River. The USGS stream gauge near Mills River, NC provide a good indication of current conditions.