Santeetlah Lake in North Carolina is a prime fishing destination that offers a diverse range of fish species including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, walleye, bluegill, and rainbow trout. The lake is located in the scenic Nantahala National Forest and surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, making it an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Fishing Tips:
- Smallmouth bass can be found in rocky areas along the shorelines and can be caught using lures such as jigs, spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits.
- Largemouth bass can be found in the shallow areas of the lake and can be caught using topwater lures, jigs, and plastic worms.
- Crappie can be caught by fishing near submerged trees and brush using small jigs or minnows.
- Walleye are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours and can be caught using live bait such as nightcrawlers.
- Rainbow trout are stocked in the lake during the spring and fall and can be caught using spinners, spoons, and flies.

Nearby Activities:
In addition to fishing, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, boating, and wildlife watching. The Nantahala National Forest offers numerous hiking trails with stunning mountain views, as well as several campgrounds and picnic areas. The nearby town of Robbinsville also offers a range of restaurants and shops.

Best Time of Year to Visit:
The best time to visit Santeetlah Lake for fishing is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild and the fish are most active. The average temperature for spring (March - May) is around 60°F, while the average temperature for fall (September - November) is around 65°F. Fishing can also be productive during the summer months, although the hot weather can make fishing during the middle of the day less productive.

Featured Fish - Apache Trout

iving in lakes and streams, this fish will eat insects, invertebrates and small minnows. They are typically targeted using very light spinning or fly tackle using nymphs, wet or dry flies, worms or salmon eggs. These fish may also strike small spinner baits or spoons but some areas where these fish can be found have enacted policies where anglers may only use artificial lures so check all regulations before targeting these fish. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: The body coloration is golden-yellow or olive yellow, with a golden belly, and Parr marks (vertical bars) can be seen on juveniles, but these marks typically disappear in larger individuals. Spots can be seen in an even distribution of pronounced, moderate-sized, rounded or oval black spots on the sides of the body and on top of the head. These spots may sometimes extend below the lateral line and onto the dorsal and caudal fins. The top of the Apache trout’s head and back is typically dark olive to brown and a black stripe appears to go through each eye because of the presence of two small black dots on either side of the pupil. Below the lower jaw, there is a dash of color that will range from yellow to darker gold. The dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins are tipped with a white to orange color and the adipose fin is usually bordered with a black margin.