Seasonal Water Activities in North Carolina

If water activities are your favorite pastime and you can’t wait for the sunny summers to get back on the water, you don’t have to. North Carolina has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the nation, from the mountainous west and the central Piedmont to the Atlantic coast. All these mean plenty of lakes, rivers and over 300 miles of coastline that you can enjoy year-round, especially if you’re a homeowner with a private waterfront.

With hot summers and mild winters, North Carolina’s climate favors outdoor activities on water. If you have a waterfront, you can prepare it by installing a dock that can adapt to seasonal changes, making it easy and comfortable to enjoy diverse water activities throughout the year. If you can’t wait to spend more time in water, here’s a guide to seasonal activities on North Carolina waters.

Spring Water Activities

Temperatures get milder and warmer throughout the spring, making it a great time to explore North Carolina waters. For many, spring is not the most popular time of the year to get wet. If that’s the case, here are top water activities to take advantage of in spring:

Fishing in North Carolina’s Lakes and Rivers

North Carolina is one of the top fishing destinations on the eastern seaboard, and spring is an excellent time to prowl the abundant waterways to fish. With waters warming up, expect diversity and abundance even close to your waterfront. However, if you want the best angling experience with record catches, these North Carolina lakes and rivers are great fishing spots:

• Sutton Lake: Sutton Lake is a large reservoir with a public fishing area and boat ramp. Fish, especially bass, are plentiful from late March through April.
• New River: New River offers amazing spring fishing opportunities for those in the Jacksonville area. The large, gentle river is home to different fish species, allowing you to reel in trout, small and largemouth bass, flounder, and black drum.
• Lake Hickory: Lake Hickory is a great hot spot for fishing, mainly striped bass that migrate upstream to spawn. While spring weather can be unpredictable, the water in Lake Hickory usually warms up throughout the season, creating the perfect conditions for additional species such as largemouth bass, white perch and crappie.
• Roanoke River: The lush banks of Roanoke River can be lovely attractions during warmer seasons. The river is popular for its annual striped bass and shad runs. From around late March to early June, you’ll have a successful time fishing striped bass with a popular spot near Albermarle Sound. Other species to watch out for include shad and catfish.
• Badin Lake: You wouldn’t want to miss Badin Lake when fishing in North Carolina. It boasts excellent fishing and scenic spots, from shoreline nooks like the Woodrun Hunt Camp to piers like King’s Mountain Point and Holt’s Picnic Area. Conveniences like the Cove Boat Ramp and Whip-o-Will Boat Ramp add to the experience. You can catch many fish varieties, from crappies and largemouth bass to catfish.

• Cape Fear River: With or without boats, fishing in Cape Fear River is excellent. The annual shad spring run in the state happens here, with plenty of opportunities for anglers on the banks, in the open or on the pier. Besides shad, other popular species present in spring include panfish, catfish and bass.

Kayaking and Canoeing

There couldn’t be a better time for paddling than spring because the cold is gone, but it’s not hot yet. Once spring arrives, North Carolina holds its iconic paddling event on the Dismal Swamp Canal. The canal’s 7.5-mile stretch offers offers one of the best paddling experiences in the state. Other places to try include:

• Black River: If you’re up for a challenge, paddling the length of the Black River trail near Ivanhoe could be a welcome start to your spring activities. The low-current river is suitable for professionals, occasional paddlers and beginners.
• Brunswick River: Aside from the scenic trailers, Brunswick River and its nearby tributaries are excellent places to paddle, offering great views and wildlife.
• Falls Lake: If you’re looking for a tranquil spot for paddling, visit the Falls Lake State Recreation Area and enjoy serene spring paddling away from boat and personal watercraft traffic. The reservoir is surrounded by a woody landscape, offering opportunities for wildlife observation.
• Zeke’s Island: Paddling on the Atlantic Coast offers its own unique charm. The best place to begin your spring excursions is The Basin, where the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River meet. Paddle around Zeke’s Island and explore the marsh for fantastic scenery and wildlife.

Summer Water Activities

Summers are the typical time for water activities, from swimming and boating to jet skiing and fishing. Starting with your own waterfront, the right dock system sets you up for fun activities with boats and other watercraft. Here are some of the popular water activities to enjoy in North Carolina:

Saltwater Fishing on the Coast

The sprawling North Carolina coastline offers incredible fishing opportunities year-round, with the warm summer waters creating a thriving ground for fish. Here are prime destinations for saltwater fishing in North Carolina:

• Crystal Coast: The region’s clear Gulf Stream waters are a perfect haven for fishing, swarming with species such as speckled trout, flounder, marlin and tuna.
• Outer Banks: The iconic Outer Banks are a hot spot for summer activities with exceptional fishing grounds. These are some of the best spots to catch species such as king mackerel, speckled trout, red drum and bluefish.
• Carolina Beach: This beach town is an excellent destination for fishing, with summer, fall and spring being popular seasons for catching diverse species. From pier and boat angling to surf and deep-sea fishing, summer presents the most ideal time.
• Oak Island: If you crave serious angling, Oak Island is the perfect destination. Here, the Gulf waters are teeming with redfish, back drums, mackerel and bluefish. Further out, you can catch cobia, amberjack and snappers.

Swimming and Water Sports

From vast stretches of sandy beaches at the coast to natural swimming holes, North Carolina has its fair share of unmissable places for swimming and water sports, particularly in the summer. If you’re in the Piedmont area, the rivers and lakes offer plenty of splashing opportunities. In Charlotte, get away from the high rises and explore the creeks and lakes. 

For water sports in Charlotte, you can visit places such as the U.S. National Whitewater Center, Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman, Anne Springs Close Greenway and Mountain Island Lake. These are great sites for canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and jet skiing.

For summer action on the coast, head to the Outer Banks. Fantastic villages like Corolla, North Carolina, offer stunning sandy shores and plenty of water activities. Popular water sports in Corolla include parasailing, jet skiing, paddling and surfing.

Camping

Summer offers excellent camping opportunities at state parks across the state — most of them with water activities. With fantastic weather, you could combine paddling with camping by cruising across river systems to remote campsites. You may have good camping spots closer to home if you own a waterfront property. With a proper launch or lift, you can cruise your waters to find camping opportunities.

Fall Water Activities

The weather may be changing, but that only brings unique experiences perfect for the autumn colors. When fall settles in, there is much to do in North Carolina waters.

Fall Fishing Adventures

If you missed fishing opportunities in spring and summer, the best catches are not gone yet because fall has its share of excellent fishing opportunities. To many, the cooler air is ideal for exhaustion-free angling. The lakes and rivers across the state have fish in fall, which means you could enjoy mild, relaxing days fishing. 

For epic adventures with the promise of diverse species, you’ll love these destinations:

• High Rock Lake: This enormous lake is famed for fishing, particularly largemouth bass and crappie. Crappies are plentiful in autumn, and the bass population is still as active as it was in spring.
• Lake James: Lake James is naturally fertile as a lake in the Catawba River chain. From September through early October, you’ll find plenty of largemouth and smallmouth bass in this lake. Find bass in shallow waters in September and on the edges with rock outcrops as it gets colder.
• The Atlantic Coast: Some of the best saltwater fishing in North Carolina happens along the coast during the fall. Catch diverse species of fish in places like Hatteras Inlet, Cape Point, Cedar Island and New Bern.

Scenic Boat Tours and Cruises

The fall season is also the best time to go on scenic cruises or white water rafting on the creeks and lakes across the state. The destinations are perfect for boat tours and cruises, each offering a unique charm. Some of the most popular options include:

• The coast: Various locations along the coast, such as Wilmington, Beaufort and the Outer Banks, offer scenic cruises in the fall.
• Inland lakes: You’ll find a number of cruising charters on Lake Norman, Lake Lure, Fontana Lake and Lake Junaluska. 
• River cruises: In addition to the Atlantic and the lakes, North Carolina has popular scenic rivers with boat tour providers. Book tours on the Neuse and Trent Rivers, Catawba River and Cape Fear River.

Winter Water Activities

Winter activities are endless, especially in the mountains where small lakes, rivers and water holes freeze, lending themselves to snow activities such as skiing, snowboarding and ice skating. For the rest of the state, temperatures can be mild, making it convenient to paddle in winter or go boating even on colder days.

While the world settles down in the off-season, if you’re keen on serene winter adventures, opportunities are available. The mild temperatures at the coast present a new way to experience the sea. Here are fun water activities to try in winter:

Boat Tours

The coast offers opportunities for scenic winter boat rides. With less traffic and a cold atmosphere, these cruises are often a quiet getaway filled with views you can only experience in winter. Book a sunrise or sunset tour and enjoy the sun come out and set. Alternatively, take a day tour for sightseeing along the coastline. 

Here are recommended boat cruises on North Carolina waters during fall:

• Bryson City – Fontana Lake kayaking tour: Fall paddling in Fontana Lake exposes you to breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoy the colorful wilderness as you explore coves on a guided sunset tour.
• Wilmington – Wrightsville Beach sailboat cruise: A two-hour-long guided tour of Wrightsville Beach on a sailboat offers enough scenic views and marine life. Opt for sunrise, sunset or afternoon cruises for diverse experiences.
• Outer Banks – Alligator River kayaking: The Outer Banks are an adventurer’s paradise, and the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge provides an unforgettable paddling experience for kayakers.
• Asheville – Lake Lure kayak tour: Join a kayaking guide to explore picturesque Lake Lure’s blue waters and mountainous background. 

Kayaking and Canoeing

Paddling around the islands and marshes of the North Carolina coast in winter is a memorable experience. In Ocracoke Island, channels in the marshes make paddling easy, allowing you to experience the silence devoid of insects buzzing. As still as these excursions may seem, they are adorned by winter wildlife in the form of diverse waterfowl species.

Saltwater Fishing in Winter

Fishing in North Carolina is less common but still possible when the cold settles in. While freshwater fish mostly disappear, you can still catch species like bluegill, catfish and crappie. Power plant lakes such as Sutton, Norman and Wylie have better opportunities for freshwater fishing.

For more reliable fishing, consider saltwater fishing on the coast. Winter fishing is particularly rewarding in the southeast, offering fish varieties from speckled trout and redfish to black drum and bass varieties. From December through January, expect to reel in these species and bluefin tuna in deeper waters.

Choose EZ Dock Solutions for Your Water Adventures

North Carolina boasts diverse landscapes with abundant opportunities for water activities. The best part is that many activities, such as fishing, paddling and boating, are possible year-round because the colder seasons are mild. If you own a waterfront private property, you can enjoy these activities at your convenience without going anywhere else. You only need adequate shore preparation with a proper dock system.

Partner with an authentic, experienced and reliable provider for high-quality docks and necessary add-ons. EZ Dock is a leading provider of durable and versatile docks that support seasonal transitions and accommodate the unique features of different water systems. For over 30 years, we have been at the forefront of industry advancements, designing practical and reliable dock systems for water lovers.

Consider EZ Dock solutions as you spend more time on water. Request a quote for dock systems that meet your needs!