South Mountains State Park, located about 20 miles south of Morganton, NC off of NC 18, offers many activities, including horseback and mountain bike riding, camping (near the car, horseback, family, and backpacking), hiking, a large waterfall, and many miles of trout fishing. Additionally, it is the most accessible trout fishing opportunity from the largest city in the area, Charlotte, NC.
The trout fishing at South Mountains State Park primarily occurs in two streams - Jacob's Fork and Shinny (pronounced Shiny) Creek. These two small streams, each classified as Wild streams above their confluence, merge together about two miles into the park. Below the confluence, the stream is called Jacob's Fork, and it is managed under Delayed Harvest regulations, from the park boundary to the confluence. Click here for fishing regulations/information.
South Mountains State Park used to offer better fishing opportunities than it does now, as it is a victim of it's own popularity. Because the park is so close to Charlotte, NC (about a 1 hour 15 minute drive from NW Charlotte), it consistently receives a large number of visitors. Additionally, the park has been renovated and promoted greatly, making it a very nice park to visit, but less of a fishing destination due to the crowds. The park even features special events, as shown in a previous blog.
Shinny Creek, classified as Wild trout water, features stream bred rainbow and brook trout. A short distance above the confluence of Shinny Creek and Jacob's Fork, a path breaks off to the right of the main path, and follows Shinny Creek. This is the best way to access most of this creek for fishing. An alternative approach is to hike up the stream from where the main path crosses the stream near it's confluence with Jacob's Fork, though you will eventually come to some steep terrain as you move up the stream. Additionally, there is some backcountry camping on Shinny Creek.
Jacob's Fork above the confluence of the two creeks, classified as Wild trout waters, offer fishing for stream bred brown, rainbow, and brook trout. The main path continues along, and even crosses, Jacob's Fork. As one continues upstream approaching the falls, approximately one mile from the parking area, the stream's topography becoms much steeper, leading to difficult passage through the stream and very good pooling. The park has installed wooden stairs leading to the top of the falls. Above the falls, the path leaves the stream, which levels off. The stream becomes very tight to fish above the falls. Additionally, there is backcountry camping above the falls.
Jacob's Fork from the park entrance upstream to the confluence of the two streams is classified as Delayed Harvest. Most of the trout that are stocked are 8"-10" Rainbow Trout. This portion of the stream can become very crowded. The best portion is from the main parking lot upstream to the confluence with Shinny Creek.
Tips for trout fishing South Mountains State Park in Jacob's Fork and Shinny Creek:
1. Start early to beat the crowds. Arrive at the park before it opens or camp and get up early.
2. Hike into the backcountry to beat the crowds. Backpack into the primitive campsites along the stream.
3. Fish in the delayed harvest portion of Jacob's Fork in October and November, when the fishing pressure dies down, the stream becomes catch and release, and many fish are stocked in the stream.
4. Fish the delayed harvest portion of Jacob's Fork in the pools that are the most accessible for stocking, such as at bridges, and along the portion upstream of the parking lot.