How damage from Hurricane Helene still affecting fishing in North Carolina, Virginia

GRAYSON COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — Hurricane Helene is still having an impact on streams and fish populations in Virginia and surrounding states, including North Carolina, even after more than a year.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) reports adult trout numbers are down in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. That area is home to some of the most fragile stream environments in Virginia.

They have historically also held good numbers of native brook trout, as well as established populations of brown and rainbow trout. Whitetop Laurel was especially hard hit.

High water from Helene scoured and destroyed habitat in many streams. Other streams, like Cabin Creek in Grayson Highlands State Park, were relatively unscathed.

A trip there earlier in the year revealed there are still good numbers of native brook trout with plenty of suitable habitat.

The DWR reports that though habitat was lost, there was good natural reproduction of all species in late 2024 and the spring of 2025. DWR fisheries biologists say the stock will rebound, though it could take a number of years.

Damage following Hurricane Helene has left everlasting impacts throughout western North Carolina as well.

According to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, they implemented Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations on 33 trout waters beginning this week.

Under this regulation, only catch-and-release of trout is permissible from program waters between October and June 2026. “No natural bait may be possessed, and anglers can fish only with artificial lures with one single hook,” the news release said. “An artificial lure is defined as a fishing lure that neither contains nor has been treated with any substance that attracts fish by the sense of taste or smell.”

Officials at NCWRC said the rolling updates to stream closures could have been much worse, given the way Helene ravaged WNC.

“The changes are minimal when you take into consideration the devastation the storm caused to western North Carolina,” said Western Regional Fishery Supervisor Doug Besler. “The storm made considerable alterations to some of the landscape where trout fishing occurs. Therefore, we will not stock areas that are still either closed, or dangerous to fish due to access or major habitat changes.”

Among the damage to fishing locations in NC is the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery in McDowell County. Officials said Armstrong Hatchery will be repaired and fully operational by mid to late October.

The Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery in Brevard was set to have renovations, but was paused due to Helene damage. Officials said it could take two years to completely finish Setzer.

The best way to keep up with fishing in NC is by using the NCWRC website at ncwildlife.gov/fishing.