North Carolina’s Cape Fear River….Fisherman’s Utopia

When most anglers think of a great fishing spot, they picture remote, untouched locations, maybe an uninhabited barrier island or a secluded creek where the water is clear and teeming with life. And while those places certainly exist, some of the best fishing may be closer than you think, hiding in plain sight. One such place is North Carolina’s Lower Cape Fear River.

As the river widens near Wilmington, it begins to reveal its many hidden treasures. In the colder months, striped bass, often surprisingly large, can be found patrolling these deeper waters. From the heart of historic downtown Wilmington to the sprawling port just downstream, the river offers both urban and wild settings, side by side.