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Local Intel

Lake Tillery

Montgomery/Stanly County, NC · 1 hr 30 min from Greensboro

Best · SpringBest · SummerBest · Fall

Surface area

5,260 acres

Max depth

80 ft

Primary species

Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Catfish, Crappie, White Bass

From Greensboro · NC

1 hr 30 min

Live conditions · Lake Tillery

Water level & flow gauges

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

Structure & water

Duke Energy reservoir on the Pee Dee River below Badin, bordering Uwharrie National Forest — 15 miles long with clearer water than High Rock, rocky/wooded shoreline, deep main-lake points, standing timber in upper creek arms, and offshore humps. Blueback herring drive a strong summer schooling bite. Less developed than other Yadkin lakes; large stretches of NF shoreline mean fewer docks but more natural cover.

Forage: Threadfin shad, gizzard shad, blueback herring, bluegill, crayfish

Forage profile

  • Threadfin shad40%
  • Gizzard shad25%
  • Blueback herring18%
  • Bluegill10%
  • Crayfish7%

Structure mix

  • Wood / Timber30%
  • Points30%
  • Rock / Riprap20%
  • Docks20%

Hot spots

  • Mountain Creek arm (east side)

    Major creek with timber, docks, and stained water — best spring largemouth water. Chatterbait, lipless, and squarebill.

  • Norwood ramp / mid-lake points

    Main-lake points with brush piles in 12–20 ft. Carolina rig and football jig in summer.

  • Lower lake offshore humps & ledges

    Herring bite — schooling activity at first light. Topwater, jerkbait, and flutter spoon on 20–35 ft humps.

  • Badin tailwater (upper end)

    Current-driven; stripers, white bass, and spots stack on the seam. Bucktail jigs and swimbaits.

Top patterns

Summer

Topwater / Flutter Spoon

Walking bait at dawn on main-lake points; drop a 3/4 oz silver flutter spoon through any school that shows on graph.

Spring

Chatterbait / Squarebill

1/2 oz chatterbait with Rage Swimmer through Mountain Creek laydowns and stained pockets; KVD 1.5 on chunk-rock banks.

Summer–Fall

Football Jig / Carolina Rig

3/4 oz football jig with craw trailer on main-lake points and ledges; 1 oz C-rig with Brush Hog on the offshore humps.

Launches & marinas

  • Lilly's Bridge Boat Access (NCWRC)

    NC-731, Mt Gilead, NC 27306

    Public ramp

    Fees: Free (NCWRC Boating Access)

    Paved double rampCourtesy dockPaved parking ~60 rigsVault toilet

    Mid-lake access — best all-purpose launch for both Mountain Creek and the main lake.

  • Norwood Boat Access (NCWRC)

    Whitley Rd, Norwood, NC 28128

    Public ramp

    Fees: Free (NCWRC Boating Access)

    Paved double rampCourtesy dockPaved parkingVault toilet

    Lower lake / west-side access. Closest to the offshore herring bite and the dam area.

  • Morrow Mountain State Park Boat Ramp

    49104 Morrow Mountain Rd, Albemarle, NC 28001

    Public ramp

    Phone: (704) 982-4402

    Fees: Park entry fee; ramp included

    Concrete double rampCourtesy dockRestroomsCamping nearbyPicnic area

    Scenic state park ramp on the west bank. Good upper-mid access; quieter than NCWRC ramps on weekends.

Regulations

NC fishing license required. Largemouth/spotted bass: 14" minimum, 5/day aggregate. No HP restriction.

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

Local tip

Tillery's herring bite is the most underrated summer pattern within 2 hours of Greensboro — get to a main-lake point with brush before first light, throw a Whopper Plopper 130 until the sun is up, then switch to a deep crank or flutter spoon on the same structure. The bite often lasts until 10 AM, longer than on High Rock.

Log a catch hereTechnique details