Today's Best Fishing Times for
Raleigh, United States ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸

Solunar
Weather
7-Day
Spots

How to use our fishing calendar

Planning your next fishing trip in Raleigh, United States ? Today is a good day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...

  • Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
  • Use the forecast calendar section to sync bite times with major weather changes.
  • Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
  • Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.

Raleigh, North Carolina offers freshwater anglers access to bass-rich lakes, river systems, and small urban ponds loaded with panfish. From Jordan Lake and Falls Lake to the Neuse River and neighborhood reservoirs, fishing around Raleigh is all about largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and striped bass with year-round opportunities. read more...

Some of the best fishing spots near Raleigh include: Falls Lake, John H. Kerr Reservoir, Neuse River, Harris Lake, Lake Wheeler, Lake Johnson, Lake Benson, Lake Crabtree, Eno River, etc. see full list

Sun and Moon Times

The sun will be at it's highest point at . Today we have 14:28 hours of daylight. For shallow water fishing the twilight periods are often the most productive fishing times, especially on days when a major or minor time will coincide with twilight. In low light conditions predators have better cover for their ambush and often hunt in shallow water.
  • Nautical Twilight begins:
    Sunrise:
  • Sunset:
    Nautical Twilight ends:
  • Moonrise:
  • Moonset:
  • Moon over:
  • Moon under:
  • Visibility:
    20%
  • Waning Crescent - 20% illuminated Waning Crescent
Next New Moon in ~3 days on 14th July
  • Distance to earth:
    365,214 km
    Proximity:
    95 %
We can compare the current moon distance to it's minimum and maximum distance from earth and express that as proximity. A high proximity means the moon is closer to earth. At 50% it would be at it's mean distance. A high proximity causes big tides, currents and has a direct effect on increased bite times. A proximity greater than 90% indicates a super moon.
Moon Phases for Raleigh
New Moon
Tue, 14 Jul
Full Moon
Wed, 29 Jul

Solunar Bite Times

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  • good Day
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Best fishing times:
  • minor Time:
    12:57 am - 02:57 am
  • major Time:
    08:28 am - 10:28 am
  • minor Time:
    03:59 pm - 05:59 pm
  • major Time:
    08:51 pm - 10:51 pm
All times are displayed in the America/New_York timezone and are automatically adjusted to daylight savings. The current timezone offset is -4 hours. Green and yellow areas indicate the best fishing times (major and minor). The center shows the current moon phase which is a Waning Crescent at 20% lumination. According to the Solunar Theory, today is a good day for fishing, but you need to cross check this with the current weather forecast for a final decision. Currently we have a major fishing time. The next best fishing time will be tomorrow. The gray time indicator displays the current local time.
America/New_York • Fri, 10 Jul 21:11 • 35.772, -78.639
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Current Fishing Weather

Updating Weather Infos...

7 Day Fishing Weather

The weather plays an important role in fishing. Wind strenght and direction often determine where you can fish and where fish might be holding. Although high pressure is usually good for fishing, steep pressure changes often trigger feeding frenzies and are great times for fishing. Of course temperature has also a strong effect on fishing and comfort on the water. So make sure to cross check the weather forecast with the solunar fishing times to determine the best times to go fishing. The graph below shows you the 3 hourly weather progression over the next 7 days. Scroll the graph left or right to see more.
Selected Weather Station: Raleigh, US
Temperature
Wave Height
Swell Height
Wind
Pressure
Humidity
Cloudcover
Rain Precipitation
UV Index
Retrieving Weather...

7 Day Fishing Forecast Calendar
Date Major Bite Times Minor Bite Times Sun Moon Moonphase
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Waning Crescent
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S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
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S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
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S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
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S: 		New Moon moon phase
New Moon
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S: 		R:
S: 		New Moon moon phase
New Moon
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S: 		New Moon moon phase
New Moon
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S: 		Waxing Crescent moon phase
Waxing Crescent
*bold times indicate best fishing times around sunrise or sunset

Fishing Overview Raleigh

Fishing in Raleigh, North Carolina centers around a network of productive reservoirs, rivers, and small public lakes that are easy to reach from the city. The big three for serious anglers are Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Harris Lake, with the Neuse River and Lake Wheeler providing additional options. Largemouth bass headline the scene, but local anglers quietly enjoy excellent crappie, catfish, and striped bass action as well.

Seasonal patterns drive success around Raleigh. In late winter and early spring, bass stage on main-lake points, channel swings, and the first drop outside spawning coves. Use medium-diving crankbaits, Alabama rigs, and jig-and-trailer combos around rock and timber. As water temps slide into the low 60s, bass move shallow to spawn in protected pockets, flooded bushes, and backs of creeks—weightless soft plastics, wacky-rigged stickbaits, and light Texas rigs shine here.

Postspawn into early summer, focus on the first deep water outside spawning areas. At Falls and Jordan, look for offshore humps, long points, and channel ledges in 8–18 feet. Carolina rigs, deep crankbaits, and football jigs are staples. Through the heat of summer, a classic Raleigh pattern is low-light fishing: hit topwater walking baits, buzzbaits, and poppers at dawn over submerged flats and around riprap, then back out deeper with finesse worms on shaky heads and drop shots as the sun gets high.

Fall brings baitfish migrations into creeks on all the major lakes. Watch for schooling activity—breaking fish, diving birds, and nervous shad on the surface. Cast flukes, small swimbaits, and lipless crankbaits into the busting schools for mixed bags of largemouth, white bass, and striped or hybrid striped bass, especially on Jordan and the lower Neuse. In winter, slow down with jigging spoons and blade baits on main-lake structure where bait stacks up, and drag jigs painfully slow along rock and timber.

Habitat and locations around Raleigh are varied. Falls Lake is a flooded river reservoir with abundant stumps, laydowns, and creek channels—target wood and channel edges. Jordan Lake offers more open water with expansive flats, roadbeds, and brush piles; electronics play a big role here. Harris Lake is smaller and power-plant influenced, often a few degrees warmer in winter, making it a prime cold-season bass option. Within the city, smaller waters like Lake Wheeler, Lake Johnson, and Shelley Lake give bank and kayak anglers easy access to bass, panfish, and catfish.

Techniques and tactical tips are straightforward but benefit from local nuance. For crappie, concentrate on bridge pilings, standing timber, and brush in 10–20 feet, vertically jigging small plastics on 1/16–1/32 oz heads or slow-trolling (spider-rigging) with live minnows. Catfish anglers on the Neuse River and local lakes do well with cut shad or bream on slip-sinker rigs set along channel bends and outside edges of flats, especially at night in summer.

Bank anglers in Raleigh can stay effective by downsizing. Use 4–8 lb line for panfish and small bass, float rigs near visible cover, and keep a small tackle selection: a couple of bobbers, split shot, size 4–6 hooks, and 1/16 oz jigs. Kayak and small-boat anglers should work wind-blown banks where bait is pushed, and always pay attention to water color—slightly stained water often fishes better than ultra-clear. Year-round, matching local forage—primarily threadfin shad, bluegill, and small crayfish—with natural colors and subtle presentations will consistently put more Raleigh fish in the net.

The Best Fishing Spots around Raleigh

Falls Lake

Falls Lake (Falls of the Neuse Reservoir) is famous for trophy largemouth bass, strong crappie populations, and dependable catches of catfish and white bass. Bass push shallow in spring around spawning coves and flooded timber, suspend on points in summer, and chase shad in the fall; winter crappie stack on deep timber and bridge piles. Shore and boat anglers have ample options, and many rotate between here and B. Everett Jordan Lake to stay on seasonal bites.

John H. Kerr Reservoir

Also known as Kerr Lake, this expansive reservoir draws Triangle anglers for striped bass, blue catfish, crappie, and quality largemouth bass. Spring striper runs and crappie on brush are highlights, summer features deep ledge bass and night catfish, and fall often brings surface feeds on shad. With vast open water and numerous ramps, it’s a regional destination often mentioned alongside Falls Lake and B. Everett Jordan Lake.

Neuse River

The Neuse River through the Raleigh area offers accessible fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, and catfish, with smallmouth and striped bass appearing farther downstream. Spring brings active bass in eddies and laydowns, summer favors early/late topwater in shaded runs, and fall sees bait-driven current seams shine. Kayaks and small boats cover the deeper pools while greenway pull-offs enable frequent shore missions, and many anglers pair it with lake trips to Falls Lake.

Harris Lake

Harris Lake (Shearon Harris Reservoir) is renowned for big largemouth bass and solid crappie, with dependable catfish action. Bass relate to grass edges, points, and offshore structure, peaking in spring and during fall shad migrations; summer crappie stack on brush and deep timber. With quality ramp access and some shoreline spots, it’s a go-to alternative when pressure rises on B. Everett Jordan Lake.

Lake Wheeler

Close to downtown Raleigh, Lake Wheeler offers convenient access to largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Spring and fall see bass roaming riprap and shallow wood, while summer favors deeper points and the creek channel; crappie are consistent around docks and brush. Boat rentals and ramps make it approachable, and many anglers hop between here and Lake Johnson in the same day.

Lake Johnson

A popular urban lake, Lake Johnson provides reliable action for bass, crappie, and sunfish, with occasional channel catfish. Spring brings shallow bass around grass and wood, summer mornings favor topwater and shaded cover, and winter crappie hold near deeper structure. With easy bank access and rental boats, it’s a favored quick trip compared with bigger waters like Falls Lake.

Lake Benson

In nearby Garner, Lake Benson is known for steady catches of crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish. Spring crappie runs along brush and creek mouths draw crowds, summer evenings see catfish cruising flats, and fall bass chase shad along points and riprap. Shoreline parks and boat rentals make it an easy alternative to larger destinations like B. Everett Jordan Lake.

Lake Crabtree

Adjacent to RDU, Lake Crabtree offers accessible fishing for crappie, bass, and catfish, with abundant sunfish for family outings. Spring crappie stack on brush and piers, summer mornings bring bass to shoreline grass and wood, and fall schools follow shad in open water. Bank access, piers, and paddle craft rentals make it a convenient counterpart to larger lakes like Jordan Lake.

Eno River

Flowing through Durham’s state park, the Eno River is prized for wading and shore fishing for redbreast and bluegill sunfish, rock bass, and largemouth bass, with seasonal runs of white bass in some stretches. Spring and early summer shine with topwater and light tackle in pools and riffles, while fall brings clear-water finesse bites. Many anglers mix a morning on the Eno with an afternoon at Falls Lake or Lake Crabtree.

Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Raleigh area

We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Raleigh. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.

Raleigh Municipal Lake Dam - 3.39515053931km , Lake Johnson Dam - 3.50225642236km , Lake Raleigh Dam - 3.50225642236km , Cemetery Branch - 3.66079820674km , Longview Dam - 4.22422921122km , Bridges Branch - 4.42847808113km , Pigeon House Branch - 4.47206712393km , Marsh Creek - 4.6783738126km , NCSU Pond Number One Dam - 4.92359597028km , Southeast Prong Beaverdam Creek - 5.3051646752km , Southwest Prong Beaverdam Creek - 5.3051646752km , Woodland Pond Dam - 5.68368172951km , Timberlake Lower Dam - 5.74302347626km , Rothgeb Pond Dam - 6.99047974561km , NC State University Farm Unit Number Two Dam - 7.09614958068km , Dix Hill Conf Center Pond Dam - 7.37482262292km , Yates Millpond Dam - 7.40291705439km , Mine Creek - 7.69046548423km , Eagle Crest Golf Course Dam - 7.84784838684km , Turfgrass Lake Number One Dam - 7.9180328976km , Turfgrass Lake Number Two Dam - 8.10919325555km , Lakemont Dam - 8.12080308258km , Turfgrass Lake Number Three Dam - 8.13565469897km , Dover Pond A Dam - 8.14810883597km , Emily Babcock Dam - 8.23975729282km , Northshore Lake Dam - 8.58913500225km , Milne Creek - 8.77099849141km , Mingo Creek - 9.04276665002km , Hare Snipe Creek - 9.26522634252km , Foxcroft Lake Dam - 9.42990336116km , Bridges Lake - 9.61606382925km , Dam Number Eleven A Crabtree Creek Watershed - 9.6394731018km , Penny Pond Dam - 9.64006819692km , Dam Number Thirteen Crabtree Creek Watershed - 9.67976609279km , Bagwell Pond Dam - 9.93002715228km , Lake Wheeler Dam - 10.12062171154km , Woodys Lake - 10.12315787408km , Milburnie Fish Club Lake Dam - 10.23883875713km , Beaverdam Lake Dam - 10.67916958212km , Dutchmans Branch - 11.12166631851km

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