Community News
Fall Mountain Trout Stocking Begins Nov. 2 in Western NC
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission announced that the delayed fall mountain trout stocking will begin on November 2, starting in Ashe and Wilkes counties. The start date was pushed back from early October due to environmental factors including summer heat, drought, and lingering damage from Hurricane Helene, which stressed fish at the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery. Officials reported losing approximately 70% of hatchery fish as water temperatures rose into the upper 70s. To supplement stocking numbers, the Commission purchased roughly 50,000 catchable-size trout from a private hatchery. Under Delayed Harvest regulations, anglers must use artificial lures with single hooks and practice catch-and-release in these waters.