For boaters, Lake James is one body of water that you'll not want to miss, and it's only minutes from your doorstep as a Lakewood resident.

Deep cool waters fill the hilly terrain that surrounds the Lake James area. Whether you're chasing dinner or just out for an exciting day of catch-and-release, there's plenty of variety to fish throughout the year, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, robin, sunfish, perch, catfish and the mighty muskie.

The Marion area and McDowell County offers an abundance of fly fishing opportunities on trout streams that hold healthy populations of brook, brown, and rainbow trout.

Enjoy the solitude of the mountains as you cast your fly for Appalachian brook trout in secluded mountain streams. The locals call them "Specs", and you'll call the experience unforgettable.

Smallmouth bass await in the pure waters of area streams. Grab your waders and rod...
and head for the hills where game fishing just doesn't get any better.

Here are some spots you'll want to try...

McDowell County Fishing and Watersports Directory