The Augerhole Branch Fishing Area in North Carolina is an excellent destination for anglers seeking a variety of fish species. The area is best known for its largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, camping, and swimming at nearby attractions. Fishing tips include using live bait and fishing early in the morning or late in the evening. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall months, with average temperatures ranging from 50-70°F. For a successful fishing trip, visitors should come prepared with appropriate gear and a North Carolina fishing license.
The blue catfish is considered an excellent food and game fish. It prefers clean, swift-moving waters where it feeds primarily on fish and crayfish. It is a strong, well-toned fish with a fine, delicate flavor. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: The blue catfish, the channel catfish, and the white catfish are the only three catfishes in the U.S.A. that have distinctly forked tails, setting them apart from the bullheads and the flathead catfish, which have squarish or slightly emarginate tails. The blue catfish can be distinguished from the channel and white catfish by its noticeably longer anal fin, which has a more even depth and a straighter edge than in the other two species. There are 30-36 rays in the fin, versus 24-30 rays in the channel catfish and 19-23 rays in the white catfish. Internally, the blue catfish can be identified by the fact that it has three chambers in the swim bladder, whereas the channel catfish has two chambers. All three forked tail species may be almost uniformly pale blue or silvery in color, though white catfish may show a more distinct difference between the bluish black and white belly. Channel catfish frequently have spots.
Camping Area | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers |
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Oconee Springs County Park | ||||
Old Salem | 120 | |||
Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area | ||||
Fort Yargo State Park | ||||
Stone Mountain Park Campground | 430 | |||
Hard Labor Creek State Park | ||||
Lawrence Shoals | 63 | |||
Dobbins Lakeside Military | ||||
Oconee River | 5 | |||
Parks Ferry | 85 |