Delayed Harvest Waters
These are stocked trout waters open to fishing year-round, but trout caught between October 1 and the first Saturday in June must be immediately released. You cannot keep or have in your possession any trout while fishing these waters during this time. Single-hook, artificial lures or flies are required during the October-June period. Beginning the first Saturday in June, harvest of trout from these waters is allowed, and anglers can use natural bait. "Hatchery Supported" trout regulations apply during this time. Beginning October 1, these waters revert back to "Delayed Harvest" trout regulations. Harvest of trout is again prohibited and anglers must use single hook artificial lures or flies. Here is a breakdown of the Delayed Harvest Regulations:

From October 1, 2007 to June 6, 2008:

• You may only use single hook artificial lures
• No fish may be harvested or possessed
• No fishing allowed at all between 1/2 hour after sunset on June 6, 2008 and 6:00 am on June 7, 2008

At 6:00 am, June 7, 2008:

• These waters open under the "Hatchery Supported" regulations
• No bait restrictions
• No minimum length limit
• Seven (7) trout per day creel limit.

Ashe County

Trout Lake

Helton Creek (Virginia state line to New River)
 

Burke County

Jacob's Fork Creek (Shinny Creek to South Mountains State Park Boundary)
 

Haywood County

Richland Creek (Russ Avenue bridge to U.S. 19A-23 bridge)

Henderson County

North Fork Mills River (game land portion below Hendersonville watershed dam)

Jackson County

Tuckasegee River (NC 107 bridge at Love Field to Dillsboro Dam)

Macon County

Nantahala River (Whiteoak Creek to NP&L powerhouse discharge canal)

Madison County

Big Laurel Creek (NC 208 bridge to the US 25-70 bridge)

Shelton Laurel Creek (NC 208 bridge at Belva to the confluence with Big Laurel Creek)

McDowell County

Curtis Creek (game land portion downstream of the U.S. Forest Service boundry at Deep Creek)

Mitchell County

Cane Creek (NC 226 bridge to NC 80 bridge)

Polk County

Green River  (Fishtop Falls Access Area to the confluence with Cove Creek)

Surry County

Mitchell River (0.6 mile upstream of the end of SR 1333 to the SR 1330 bridge below Kapps Mill Dam)

Watauga County

Watauga River (SR 1557 bridge to NC 105 bridge ) 

Wilkes County

East Prong Roaring River (mouth of Bullhead Creek downstream to Stone Mountain State Park boundary line)

Stone Mountain Creek (from falls at Alleghany County line to confluence with East Fork Reddies River and Bullhead Creek)