You are hereUS / North Carolina / North Carolina Lakes / Lake Information for Lake James
Lake Information for Lake James
Tucked away in rolling hills at the base of Linville Gorge is Lake James, a 6,510-acre lake with more than 150 miles of shoreline. This impressive waterway is the centerpiece of Lake James State Park. Here, nature offers scenic vistas of the Appalachian Mountains and beckons to those with an appetite for recreation.
Canal Bridge Access Area - Burke County: On N.C. 126, south of Benfield Landing Road (S.R. 1234), northwest of Marion.
Hidden Cove Access Area - McDowell County: On N.C. 126, near Lake James State Park headquarters, northeast of Marion
Linville River - Burke County: On N.C. 126, off Jamestown Road, northwest of Morganton
Black Bear - McDowell County: On Lake James Road, off Hankins Road, off N.C. 226/221, northeast of Marion.
The cool mountain waters of the Linville and Catawba rivers flow into hilly terrain to form a deep lake with enough points and coves to challenge any fisherman. Water level fluctuation, due to hydroelectric power production, keeps aquatic vegetation at a minimum and concentrates fish populations, especially in winter.
Cool, deep waters and warm surface waters provide a variety of sport fishing. Largemouth bass is the most sought-after fish in the lake. The early morning and late afternoon hours during April through October are the best times to angle for this tackle-buster and its smallmouth relative.
Walleye, first introduced in 1951, is another prized game fish in the lake. White bass spawn in May, and crappie fishing is best during May through July. Bluegill, robin and catfish are available year round, and record specimens of muskellunge have been caught in the lake.
Other fish include bream, sunfish and perch. A fishing license is required. All Wildlife Resources Commission regulations apply.
Businesses Located Nearby
Bait & Tackle
- Terrell Bait & Tackle Shop
- 7970 Nc Highway 150 E - Terrell, NC
- (828) 478-2024
- Piedmont Bait & Tackle
- 5138 E Highway 150 - Lincolnton, NC
- (704) 735-4416
- Cole's Tackle Box
- 816 Highway 321 - Hampton, TN
- (423) 725-4954
Boat Rental
- Benfield's Boat Landing
- 5741 Benfield Landing Rd - Nebo, NC
- (828) 584-0441
- Price Lake Boat Rentals
- 3636 Blue Ridge Pkwy - Blowing Rock, NC
- (828) 963-4186
- Cherokee Marine Service
- 2425 Us-70 W - Morganton, NC
- (828) 584-8840
Vacation Rental
- The Cove at Fairview Vacation Rentals
- 150 Fairview Forest Dr - Fairview, NC
- (828) 628-4967
- Asheville Swiss Chalets Vacation Rentals
- 5 Delano Rd - Asheville, NC
- (828) 776-0509
- The Oar House Vacation Rentals
- 2002 W Lakeshore Dr - Landrum, SC
- (843) 795-4908
Bar and Restaurant
- Mallory's Bar & Restaurant
- 826 N Green St - Morganton, NC
- (828) 437-0756
- Judge's Barbeque Restaurant
- 128 Greenlee Ford Rd - Morganton, NC
- (828) 433-5798
- Tropical Bar & Restaurant
- 783 W King St - Boone, NC
- (828) 264-4601