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Bield:Fish
Stocking schedule

Nantahala River stocking schedule 2026.

Stocking NowRiverMacon County

Cold tailwater in the Smoky Mountain foothills — reliable year-round trout fishery with delayed-harvest stockings and wild trout populations in headwater tributaries.

Official source

For the actual Nantahala River stocking dates and volumes this week, view North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's official stocking report.

View North Carolina official report →

Nantahala River stocking detail

  • Rainbow Trout
    WeeklyDelayed Harvest
    JanJan — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesFebFeb — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesMarMar — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesAprApr — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesMayMay — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesJunJun — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesJulJul — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesAugAug — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesSepSep — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesOctOct — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesNovNov — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesDecDec — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inches
    Typical volumeWeekly stockings during season
    RegulationDelayed Harvest October–June; standard regulations June–September.
    Access points
    • Beechertown
    • Wesser
    • Highway 19 corridor

Access & amenities

Full public accessNearest town: Bryson City, NC

Public access in Nantahala National Forest; flow controlled by upstream powerhouse.

boat rampparkingstream access
USGS gauge 03505500 — live water data →

Get notified when Nantahala River is stocked.

Bield: Fish reads North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's stocking reports and pushes a notification when Nantahala River appears on the schedule. Save your home waters once.

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All North Carolina stocking schedules →North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission report →