The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will begin its delayed harvest trout stocking program on November 2, releasing large trout into western North Carolina rivers. This year's stocking schedule starts a month later than the typical early October commencement due to significant environmental factors.
The delay was caused by a hot summer, a period of drought, and damage from Hurricane Helene within the watershed. These conditions led to elevated water temperatures, reaching the upper 70s, at the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery. The stressed fish at the hatchery, which were being grown to catchable size for the delayed harvest season, resulted in an approximate 70% loss of the fish at that facility.
Despite these challenges, the Commission plans to stock all Delayed Harvest streams in November at a minimum of 35% of the originally proposed numbers. To supplement this, approximately 50,000 catchable-size trout were purchased from a private hatchery to ensure adequate numbers for both the fall and early spring stockings. The November stockings will also include some 14-inch-plus spent broodfish.
Specific local waterways in the region are slated for stocking soon. The East Prong of Roaring River and Stone Mountain Creek are scheduled for stocking on November 2. The Reddies River and Elk Creek will follow on November 3. Anglers can find the full schedule on the NCWRC's website.
In Watauga County, delayed harvest waters include Lake Coffey, and the Watauga River from the secondary road 1114 bridge to the Valle Crucis Community Park lower boundary, as well as from the secondary road 1103 bridge to its confluence with Laurel Creek. Upper Elk Creek, spanning from the Watauga County line to the lower boundary of the Blue Ridge Mountain Club, will also be stocked.
Neighboring Ashe County also has several delayed harvest waters: Big Horse Creek, from the secondary road 1324 bridge to the North Fork New River; Helton Creek, from the secondary road 1372 bridge to the North Fork New River; and the South Fork New River, from the upstream end of Todd Island to the secondary road 1351 bridge.
Other delayed harvest waters in nearby counties include portions of Wilkes County's Reddies River, East Prong Roaring River, Stone Mountain Creek, and lower Elk Creek. Caldwell County’s Wilson Creek and Surry County’s Ararat River and Mitchell River are also part of the program.
Under Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations, only catch-and-release fishing for trout is permitted in these program waters between October 1, 2026, and June 5, 2027. Anglers are restricted to using artificial lures with one single hook, and no natural bait may be possessed. An artificial lure is defined as one that does not contain or has not been treated with any substance that attracts fish by taste or smell.
The Armstrong hatchery currently serves as the primary state hatchery for producing trout, following the late-2025 closure of the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery for major renovations. The NCWRC had previously announced that trout stocking would be reduced during the construction period. Commission Hatchery Supervisor David Deaton stated that the Setzer renovation is progressing as planned and is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
Commission staff typically stock trout from fall through spring, aiming for high densities to enhance anglers' chances. Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are clearly marked with diamond-shaped, black-and-white signs. Anglers should be aware that some stocking locations along streams may have changed due to hurricane damage, which could affect both stocking operations and angler access.
