Balsam Lake
Trout water; 1 stocking on the 2026 record.
Jackson County · North Carolina · see it on the national map
1
stocking 2026
May 20
last stocked
The year here
stocked last 7 days announced ahead · tap a tick for details
What swims here
Trout
Stocking record 2026
| Date | Species | Size | Fish | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20wk | Trout | catchable | stocked |
Gear for this water
It has been a while since the trucks came. The holdovers have spread out and wised up; downsize and fish natural.
For the trout (trout stocked 1 time here in 2026, stillwater)
| Casting spoons | 1/8 to 1/4 oz in fluorescent or metallic; count down until you find the depth |
| Small crankbaits | trout-pattern cranks trolled or slow-retrieved off points |
| Slip bobber and jig | 1/32 oz marabou jig or waxworm suspended at cruising depth |
Suggestions follow from what the state actually stocks here and what kind of water it is, nothing else. No sponsored placements.
Nearby stocked waters
The closest waters with stocking pages of their own, straight-line miles from this one.
| Water | Distance | Most recent |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf Creek Lake | 3.2 mi | Apr 22 |
| Cedar Cliff Reservoir | 6.8 mi | Apr 8 |
| West Fork French Broad River | 11 mi | May 20 |
| Cullowhee Creek | 12 mi | May 20 |
| East Fork French Broad River | 13 mi | Apr 27 |
Records from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
(official page). Placement from USGS GNIS. Schedules change without notice.
Seasons, limits, and licenses:
North Carolina fishing
regulations.