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Belews Lake

Stokes/Rockingham County, NC · 30 min from Greensboro

Best · SpringBest · Fall

Surface area

3,863 acres

Max depth

130 ft

Primary species

Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass

From Greensboro · NC

30 min

Live conditions · Belews Lake

Water level & flow gauges

Live pool elevation, discharge, and (where instrumented) water temperature from official operators. Opens in a new tab.

Structure & water

Steep clear-water reservoir with bluff walls, standing timber in the upper end, and deep main-lake points. Warm-water discharge from the Duke Energy steam plant keeps the south end fishable year-round.

Forage: Threadfin shad, alewife, blueback herring, bluegill

Forage profile

  • Threadfin shad40%
  • Alewife25%
  • Blueback herring18%
  • Bluegill10%

Structure mix

  • Rock / Riprap33%
  • Wood / Timber22%
  • Bridges22%
  • Points11%
  • Flats11%

Hot spots

  • Hot Hole (discharge)

    Winter and early pre-spawn magnet — fish stage on the warm current edges.

  • Pine Hall Bridge area

    Riprap and bridge pilings hold pre-spawn and post-spawn bass.

  • Carolina Marina pockets

    Spawning flats with scattered wood; sight-fish in April.

  • Main-lake bluff walls (mid-lake)

    Summer suspended fish — drop shot and damiki rigs on FFS.

Top patterns

Summer

Drop Shot

20–35 ft on bluffs and offshore brush, 4" minnow nose-hooked. Forward-facing sonar is decisive.

Spring

Wacky Senko

Skip docks in the mid-lake creeks during the spawn — clear water, finesse presentations win.

Winter

Jerkbait

Suspending jerkbait near the Hot Hole, long pauses (8–12s) in 50°F water.

Launches & marinas

  • Carolina Marina

    1325 Pine Hall Rd, Belews Creek, NC 27009

    Marina

    Phone: (336) 427-0498

    Fees: Daily launch fee; annual passes available

    Paved double rampCourtesy dockFuelBait & tackle shopBoat rentalsRestrooms

    Full-service marina on the mid-lake. Best ramp for bass boats; sheltered cove keeps it usable on windy days. Gets crowded on spring/fall weekends — arrive at sunrise.

  • Pine Hall Public Access Area (NCWRC)

    Pine Hall Rd at the Hwy 65 bridge, Belews Creek, NC

    Public ramp

    Fees: Free (NCWRC Boating Access)

    Paved single rampGravel parking ~20 rigsNo dock, no restrooms

    Closest ramp to the Hot Hole — preferred winter put-in for the Duke Energy discharge run. Tight turnaround; back trailers in before unloading.

  • Humphries Access Area (NCWRC)

    Humphries Rd, off Hwy 158, Stokesdale, NC

    Public ramp

    Fees: Free (NCWRC Boating Access)

    Paved single rampCourtesy dockPaved parkingVault toilet

    Upper-end access — closest to the standing timber and shallow spawning pockets. Best launch for spring/early-summer power-fishing trips above the mid-lake narrows.

Regulations

NC statewide: 14" minimum length, 5 fish daily creel for black bass.

Last verified . Rules & fees change — confirm with the state agency before your trip.

Local tip

Clear water demands a step down in line size — 8 lb fluoro on finesse rigs, natural shad colors. The herring bite explodes in May on main-lake points.

Log a catch hereTechnique details