Lake Mattamuskeet

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 14

Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina's largest natural lake at 40,000 acres, stands as a premier freshwater fishing destination within the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge in Hyde County. This shallow lake system, averaging just 2-3 feet in depth, is uniquely connected to Pamlico Sound through four major canals - Rose Bay, Outfall, Lake Landing, and Waupoppin - creating a distinctive brackish-freshwater interface that supports diverse fish populations. The lake's extensive shallow flats, deeper canal systems, and strategic location along the Atlantic Flyway make it both an exceptional fishery and critical wildlife habitat.

North Carolina licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lake Mattamuskeet and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Flier

Centrarchus macropterus

Grass Pickerel

Esox americanus

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

White Catfish

Ameiurus catus

White Perch

Morone americana

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake Mattamuskeet. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Lake Mattamuskeet

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

North Carolina licenses and regulations

North Carolina Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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North Carolina Fishing License

Youth under age 16 are exempt from the requirements of any fishing license and trout privilege license.

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North Carolina Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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North Carolina Stream Access Laws

If a boater can float the water, it is navigable and can be used for recreation. Navigable waters are in the public trust, including streambeds. If the navigable water is tidal, public use extends to all waters that cover an average high tide.

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Take Lake Mattamuskeet with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lake Mattamuskeet to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Mattamuskeet to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.