What are the Most Popular Fishing Spots in Wilmington, NC?

Article by: Mark Mayo

Introduction

Wilmington is a city in North Carolina that’s located near the Cape Fear Coast. The city is known for its beaches and fishing, so it makes sense that there are some great spots to fish near Wilmington. If you’re looking for some great places to go fishing nearby, here are my top picks:

Wilmington, NC

If you’re looking for a great place to fish near Wilmington, look no further than Carolina Beach. The town has plenty of places where you can cast a line and catch your dinner, whether it be red drum or trout.

The most popular spot for fishing in Wilmington is the fishing pier at the North End of Carolina Beach. There are also two boat ramps that serve as access points for anglers wanting to get into the water: one at Carolina Beach State Park and  the other located south of Kure Beach at the Federal Point Boat Launch.

Near Wilmington, North Carolina, lies a series of islands known as the Cape Fear Coast. Offshore, long stretches of sandy beaches give way to a network of freshwater rivers and lakes. This coastal region also features a variety of parks, reserves and public fishing piers. Local charter services offer trips out to sea for deep-sea fishing.

The Cape Fear Coast is a series of islands located just north of Wilmington, North Carolina. This area features sandy beaches that give way to freshwater rivers and lakes as well as several state parks and public fishing piers. If you’re looking for a fishing excursion on the ocean, local charter services offer trips out to sea for deep-sea fishing.

There are plenty of great places to fish in this area. Here are the most popular spots:

Fort Fisher State Historic Site. This is a great place for beginning anglers to learn about fishing and local history. The park has many walking trails that lead you through beautiful forested areas, as well as an interpretive center and museum that help you learn more about the area’s natural history. There’s also a rich ecosystem here, so if you like bird watching or wildlife photography there’s plenty more to see besides just fish!

Wrightsville Beach Pier Fishing Pier & Restaurant. This pier offers some of the best views of Cape Fear River Basin while also giving visitors access to some excellent fishing opportunities on both sides of the pier (one side faces north toward downtown Wilmington; other side faces south toward Myrtle Beach). You’ll find numerous boats docked here at all times too so if you’re interested in renting one instead then no problem! Just bring your boat keys along with some cash because this spot allows boating access but does not offer any free docking services.”

Let’s break it down…

Kure Beach Pier

The Kure Beach Pier is the perfect place to fish if you’re looking for an active, action-packed trip. The pier is located in Kure Beach and stretches 1,000 feet out over the ocean. It’s open 24/7 and welcomes fishermen of all ages as well as visitors who aren’t interested in fishing but want to enjoy the views or walk along its length.

Cape Fear River

The Cape Fear River is a major river of the Southeastern United States. It is the largest river in North Carolina, draining the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of the state. The river’s name comes from Sir Walter Raleigh’s failed 13-month attempt to establish an English colony on Roanoke Island, which was located on what is now known as Hatteras Island in Dare County, North Carolina. The settlement disappeared after its inhabitants were killed or captured by local Indians and foreigners (confederates) during a military conflict with England lasting from 1585–1586 known as the Anglo-Spanish War.

Masonboro Inlet

Located in New Hanover County, North Carolina, Masonboro Inlet is one of the best spots for fishing near Wilmington. The inlet was formed by a series of storms during the last Ice Age and is fed by the Cape Fear River and Shallotte River. Over time, a long sandbar formed that separates it from the ocean. The area around Masonboro Inlet is home to many species including flounder, bluefish, red drum and speckled trout (or spots). There are also plenty of other types of fish like black sea bass and tarpon in this area as well!

Masonboro Island

Located in the Cape Fear River, Masonboro Island offers the most accessible fishing destination for anglers who don’t have their own boat. The island is accessible by kayak and can be reached via a short paddle from either sides of the river. The island’s waters are home to red drum, flounder and speckled trout that can all be caught with relative ease. If you’re looking for more than just an afternoon of fishing on your visit, there are also four loops of trails that take you through pine forests and wildlife ponds. To get started with your trip to Masonboro Island, head over to the public boat ramp located near Fort Fisher Boulevard in Kure Beach—it provides easy access right into the heart of this beautiful fishing spot!

Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier

If you’re looking to spend time on the water, Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier is a great place to fish. The pier is located at the end of Johnnie Mercer’s Road in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. You can access this pier by driving your car or walking along the beach (the parking lot is just a short walk from where you can park). The pier itself extends over 1,000 feet into the ocean and offers plenty of places for anglers to situate themselves with their poles in hand.

Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach, North Carolina is a small town located on Bald Head Island along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s famous for its pristine white beaches and relaxing atmosphere. This is where you’ll find some of the best fishing in North America. The main attraction here is fishing, with many spots right off of Atlantic Beach offering great saltwater fishing opportunities including red drum, flounder, whiting and bluefish. There are also opportunities to catch offshore species like tuna and marlin!

Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach is a town in New Hanover County, North Carolina. It was incorporated in 1971 and has a population of 9,731. It’s located on the southern end of Long Beach Island, in the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches are known for their great surf fishing, with pier fishing being popular during most times of year.

Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach, NC is a city in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,199 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area. Wrightsville Beach has been named one of the best beaches in America and is known for its surfing, fishing and delicious seafood restaurants. The island’s fishing pier has been named one of the top 10 most scenic ocean piers in the country by USA Today readers’ choice poll for six consecutive years (2010-2015). The beach attracts tourists from around the world who come to surf or relax in a variety of lodging options available on Wrightsville Beach Island including hotels and vacation homes which may be rented on sites like VRBO or Airbnb instead of staying at resorts since they’re often cheaper than staying directly within town limits where there aren’t many accommodations available nearby except within resort communities

Kure Beach

Kure Beach is a small town located on the southern end of Carolina Beach. It has a pier and a small fishing fleet. Kure Beach is known for its great fishing, especially for red drum, flounder and speckled trout.

Masonboro Island

Masonboro Island is a barrier island in North Carolina, located between Kure Beach and Oak Island. It’s a popular destination for fishing, boating, and enjoying the sun. The fishing pier at Masonboro offers beach access as well as multiple piers for anglers to fish from.

Thornton Creek

This Wilmington spot is a great place to take kids or young adults. The stream is stocked with trout and other fish, so it’s perfect for beginners. The fish are also relatively easy to catch. But if you’re an experienced fisherman, there are plenty of spots along the creek where you can find more challenging fishing opportunities by casting into deeper waters or using specialized equipment like baitcasting rods or fly-fishing gear.

These are the best spots to fish near Wilmington, Wrapping up…
The fishing is great in Wilmington, North Carolina! The Cape Fear Coast is full of opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers alike. Whether you’re looking to catch some flounder on a charter trip out at sea or just catch some sun on one of the many local piers, there are plenty of places near Wilmington where you can enjoy yourself for hours.

Mark Mayo

I research and report on fishing, fishing gear/equipment, survival topics, and marketing for outdoors related businesses. I assist here on CB Fishing as the editor. Articles may contain AI researched content. All content is published for education and entertainment purposes only, NOT LIFE, HEALTH, SURVIVAL, FINANCIAL, BUSINESS, LEGAL OR ANY OTHER ADVICE. Learn more about Mark Mayo