Kirk Rundle, fisheries biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, provides an overview of the fish species present in Lake Raleigh and, more importantly, how to catch them...
While biologists found 17 fish species during their sampling effort, the dominant fish species is bluegill, with good populations of crappie and largemouth bass.
The lake is accessible by small boat, with the exception of a few very shallow areas in the upper reaches. Good fishing spots can be found throughout the lake so Rundle stresses technique over location.
Because hydrilla, a highly invasive aquatic weed, is found throughout the lake, boaters are asked to remove all weeds and weed fragments from boats and fishing equipment so the plant can’t “hitchhike” to other bodies of water.
Largemouth bass
Lake Raleigh holds “plenty” of quality-size largemouth bass. Rundle said anglers should fish around any type of structure, such as brush piles, vegetation and the newly constructed wooden piers.
During the extremes of summer and winter, the fish most likely will be found in deeper water adjacent to submerged cover. In the spring and fall, fish should be in shallower water adjacent to cover.
Anglers should fish a variety of artificial bait, ranging from plastic worms to top-water lures. Because subtle differences in lure size and color can pay off in a big way when the fish seem to have lockjaw, experimentation and patience are just as important as location.
Crappie
Crappie tend to be cyclic in nature, yet Lake Raleigh has a good population of crappie — mostly black crappie. Rundle recommends fishing deep-water structure during the extremes of summer and winter. During the rest of the year, anglers should fish around brush piles, beaver lodges, etc., in shallower water.
Using minnows and experimenting with 1/8- to ¼-ounce jigs rigged with various colored twister tail grubs often can be productive when fishing for crappie.
Bluegill and redear sunfish
These two species can be found year-round throughout the lake and adjacent to any type of structure. It doesn’t take much to hook a bluegill or a redear — worms and small artificial lures should do the trick.