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8 km of the North River navigation corridor, with channel depths from USACE hydrographic survey. The river tops out around 29 ft. The depth chart comes from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
North River maps at 2,578 acres behind 12.1 miles of shoreline. With a 1.7 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. Roughly 85% of the water is 15 ft or less, the band where the food chain lives. Tip to tip the water measures near 3.7 mi with a 2-mi widest point. Currituck Sound sits 5 mi northeast — the closest neighbouring chart.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: striped bass in 5 to 20 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 9 to 29 ft before dropping to 9 to 29 ft for winter. The spot to know is Main-channel hole (mile 0.2), a creek channel in about 12 ft of water that rates prime for striped bass in winter. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a topwater walker at low light or a paddletail on a light jig gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.2) (17 ft) | 3-5 inch baitfish swimbait, Suspending minnow plug |
| Summer | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.2) (17 ft) | Topwater walker at low light, Paddletail on a light jig |
| Fall | 8 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.2) (17 ft) | Baitfish swimbait, Metal jig |
| Winter | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 50 ft | midday | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) | Slow paddletail, Bucktail near bottom |
In spring, blue catfish run shallow here, mostly 5 to 25 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 7 to 29 ft, and winter fish settle into 9 to 29 ft. Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 12 ft, rated prime for spring blue catfish. Time it for early morning and the evening.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 25 ft | dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) | |
| Summer | 7 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) | |
| Fall | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) | |
| Winter | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 50 ft | midday | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) |
When the water first warms, flathead catfish slide up into 5 to 20 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 29 ft, and by winter most fish are in 9 to 29 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4): an eddy pocket around 11 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | night & dusk | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) | |
| Summer | 8 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | night & dusk | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) | |
| Fall | 8 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | night & dusk | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) | |
| Winter | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) |
Come spring, look for channel catfish tight to the bank in 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 8 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 9 to 29 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-channel hole (mile 0.2): a creek channel around 12 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) | |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft | night & dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) | |
| Fall | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) | |
| Winter | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | midday | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) |
Early season white perch use the shallows, holding in 4 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 9 to 29 ft, then a winter hold in 9 to 29 ft. Put Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) first on the milk run — an eddy pocket near 11 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a small spinner rig drifted or a 1/8 oz jigging spoon and you're in the game.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Summer | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 40 ft | dawn | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) | Small spinner rig drifted, 1/8 oz jigging spoon |
| Fall | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | midday | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Blade bait |
| Winter | 9 to 29 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 50 ft | dusk | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) | Small rattle spoon, Tungsten + spikes |
When the water first warms, longnose gar slide up into 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 1 to 12 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 25 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-channel hole (mile 0.2): a creek channel around 12 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in midday and the evening. Keep a rope lure or a small white spinner rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday | open water | Rope lure (hookless nylon), Inline spinner (slow) |
| Summer | 1 to 12 ft | midday & dusk | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) | Rope lure, Small white spinner |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday | Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) (12 ft) | Rope lure, Small jerkbait (pause-heavy) |
| Winter | 10 to 25 ft | midday | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (11 ft) |
North River also holds brook trout (9 to 29 ft in summer), brown trout (9 to 29 ft in summer), rainbow trout (8 to 29 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
3 pieces of structure are mapped here — Current seam (mile 2.2), around 17 ft, is the deepest of them.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 28 | Rainbow Trout Brown Trout | — | — |
| May 6 | Rainbow Trout Brown Trout | — | — |
| May 4 | Brook Trout | — | — |
| Apr 27 | Brown Trout | — | — |
| Apr 8 | Brown Trout | — | — |
| Apr 6 | Brook Trout | — | — |
| Mar 31 | Brown Trout | — | — |
| Mar 27 | Rainbow Trout Brown Trout | — | — |
Source: Virginia DWR trout-stocking schedule, retrieved 2026-09-23.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for North Carolina waters are set by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission — and special regulations can apply to North River specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official North Carolina fishing regulations →
North River is about 29 ft (9 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target striped bass, blue catfish, flathead catfish, channel catfish, white perch, longnose gar, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout on North River. This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Main-channel hole (mile 0.2) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 12 ft of water that rates prime for striped bass in winter. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For striped bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Virginia DWR trout-stocking schedule records, North River was most recently stocked May 28 with rainbow trout brown trout. The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on North River is regulated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Check the official North Carolina regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Currituck Sound 5 mi · North Landing River 21 mi, VA/NC · Back Bay 22 mi, VA · Southern Branch Elizabeth River 39 mi, VA/NC · Elizabeth River 47 mi, VA/NC · Lake Mattamuskeet 55 mi, NC · Pamlico Sound 65 mi, NC · Mobjack Bay 74 mi, VA · Sandy Bay 75 mi, NC · Hatteras Inlet 77 mi, NC · Roanoke River 87 mi, NC · Jarrett Bay 108 mi, NC
See how North River stacks up: best channel catfish lakes in North Carolina · best striped bass lakes in North Carolina · best flathead catfish lakes in North Carolina · best blue catfish lakes in North Carolina
Browse all North Carolina fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.