Johns River
Muskellunge water, stocked through the 2026 season program; 300 fish in the published allocation.
Burke County ยท North Carolina · see it on the national map
Water right now
2.27
ft
gage height
USGS gauge 02140991
(JOHNS RIVER AT ARNEYS STORE, NC) · 2026-08-28 18:15
2026 season
program
1
species
300
fish allocated
What swims here
Muskellunge
Season program record
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission publishes this water by season or program window, not by dated schedule, so there are no truck dates to list; the rows below are the published program allocations.
| Season | Species | Size | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 season | Muskellunge | yearling | 300 |
Gear for this water
For the muskie and pike (muskellunge on the season program here, moving water)
| Heavy casting rod | 7.5 to 9 ft heavy with 65 to 80 lb braid; these fish punish light gear |
| Large bucktails and gliders | big profile baits; finish every cast with a figure-eight |
| Steel or heavy fluoro leader | non-negotiable; pike and muskie cut everything else |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson Creek | 7.7 mi | May 6 |
| Linville River | 11 mi | Jun 17 |
| Boone Fork Pond | 15 mi | May 13 |
| Lake James | 17 mi | 2026 season |
| Buffalo Creek | 18 mi | May 13 |
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.