Fishing near me in Winston-Salem : 12 spots within 50 miles
There are 12 mapped fishing venues within 50 miles of Winston-Salem, and the closest, Salem Lake Fishing Pier, is about 2.9 miles from the city center. Below they're ranked by distance, with North Carolina license info, the species you can expect, and answers to the questions Winston-Salem anglers ask most.
Top Fishing Spots Near Winston-Salem
Every mapped venue within 50 miles of Winston-Salem, nearest first. Click any spot for full venue details, directions, and species.
Closest first
- 1
Salem Lake Fishing Pier
2.9 mi away
- 2
Kernersville Lake
8.6 mi away
- 3
Village Point Lake
9.4 mi awayClemmons village, Forsyth County
- 4
Lake Thom-A-Lex
15 mi away
- 5
Fishing Path
20 mi awayStokes County
- 6
Hart's Access Public Fishing Area
29 mi away
- 7
Fisher River Park River Access
34 mi away
- 8
Fishing (Hatchery/Delayed Harvest)
34 mi away
- 9
Lovill's Creek Lake
40 mi awayCarroll County
- 10
Lake Sobotta
42 mi away
- 11
Lake Watson
43 mi away
- 12
Lawyer's Lake
44 mi away
Want more options? Browse all North Carolina fishing venues or the North Carolina fishing near me guide.
Do You Need a Fishing License in North Carolina?
The short answer for Winston-Salem anglers, plus where to find the current North Carolina prices, exemptions, and free fishing days.
License Info
In most cases, yes: a North Carolina license before you cast
Fishing licenses in North Carolina are issued by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Anglers above the state minimum age need a valid license to fish public water around Winston-Salem. Age thresholds, resident and non-resident fees, short-term options, and exemptions all vary by state and change each season, so check the current rules on the NCWRC site before you buy.
The linked guide is updated for 2026 with current resident, non-resident, and short-term fees, where to buy online and in person, and this year's free fishing days.
What Can You Catch Near Winston-Salem?
We're still building species records for the venues around Winston-Salem. Log your catches on GilledIt to help map what's biting where.
What's Biting
Open GilledIt to see real-time catch reports around Winston-Salem, and log your own to help map what's biting.
Keep Exploring North Carolina Fishing
More Resources
North Carolina fishing near me
Top 10 spots statewide, license basics, and what's biting across North Carolina.
North Carolina pond directory
Every mapped North Carolina venue with maps, websites, species, and facilities.
North Carolina license guide
Current prices, where to buy, free fishing days, and exemptions.
Fishing Near Me in Winston-Salem: FAQ
There are 12 mapped fishing venues within 50 miles of Winston-Salem, and the closest is Salem Lake Fishing Pier, about 2.9 miles from the city center. The list above ranks them by distance: city-park ponds, reservoirs, and public-access water. Open GilledIt to see live catch reports near your exact location.
Often, yes. Many city-park ponds and public reservoirs around Winston-Salem are free to access once you hold a valid North Carolina fishing license, and many states also run free fishing days each year when no license is needed. Dates and rules change, so confirm on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) website or in our North Carolina license guide.
In most cases, yes: anglers above the state's minimum age need a valid North Carolina fishing license to fish public water around Winston-Salem. Licenses are issued by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Age cut-offs, fees, and exemptions vary by state and change each season, so check the NCWRC site or our North Carolina fishing license guide for current prices, where to buy, and free fishing days before you go.
Our species records for the venues around Winston-Salem are still growing, so we don't yet list confirmed species here. Check each venue's page, open GilledIt for real-time catch reports around Winston-Salem, and log your own to help map what's biting.
For most waters around Winston-Salem, spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the most productive windows: fish feed hard around the spawn and again before winter. Early morning and the last hour of light are the best daily bites in summer. Check the GilledIt community feed for what's working near Winston-Salem this week.
Start logging catches around Winston-Salem
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