Fishing in Fayetteville, NC: Hope Mills Lake & Best Spots

Fayetteville sits on the Cape Fear River, and most of its fishing is within a short drive of downtown. Your choice depends on whether you want to fish from shore, launch a boat or paddle, or bring kids for an easy first catch. This guide covers the lakes and river access points we could confirm through town, city, state and Army sources, plus the license rules that apply.

Fayetteville Fishing Spots at a Glance

Spot	Address	Type / access	Source
Hope Mills Lake Park	S. Main St at Lakeview Rd, Hope Mills (boat permits at 5770 Rockfish Rd)	Town lake; boat ramp and observing dock; permit for every boat	Town of Hope Mills
Glenville Lake, Mazarick Park	1400 Belvedere Ave	City park; fishing from the pier only, no boats	City of Fayetteville
Fayetteville Boating Access Area	2487 Wilmington Hwy	NC Wildlife Resources Commission ramp on the Cape Fear River	Visitors bureau
Lake Rim Park	2214 Tar Kiln Dr	City park; ranger-led kayak tours on the lake	City of Fayetteville
Fort Bragg lakes	Fort Bragg (civilians need a visitor pass)	Installation waters; Fort Bragg permit plus state license	Fort Bragg iSportsman
John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center	7489 Raeford Rd	State-run classes and clinics; pre-registration required	NCWRC

Hope Mills Lake

Hope Mills Lake is the best-known fishing lake in the Fayetteville area and the centerpiece of the town of Hope Mills. The town's Parks & Amenities page describes Hope Mills Lake Park as more than 73 acres including the lake, with a boat ramp, an observing dock, a playground, a rentable gazebo and restrooms. The park sits at South Main Street and Lakeview Road. For more on the town itself, see our Hope Mills and Grays Creek guide.

Boating rules and permits

The town's lake page sets clear rules:

• It is a no-wake lake. Water skiing, racing and alcohol are prohibited.
• Personal watercraft are not allowed, and boats over 26 feet are prohibited.
• Every boat needs a town permit, including canoes and kayaks. Permits for non-motorized boats carry no fee, while motorized boats pay a daily or annual fee that is higher for non-residents.
• Permits are issued in person at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 5770 Rockfish Road, during business hours. Bring your state watercraft registration and, for motorized boats, proof of liability insurance.
• Stay at least 50 feet from the dam, and launch only in designated areas.

What you can catch

The lake was drained for dam work and later refilled, so its fish population is relatively young. A March 2018 Up & Coming Weekly report described a restocking of redear and bluegill, with fingerling catfish and largemouth bass planned later. At that time catch-and-release applied until the population stabilized, with harvest under state rules to follow. Check the signs at the ramp for any rule still in place. Anglers on the Fishbrain app log largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish here most often.

When to go

The lake is open Monday through Saturday from sunrise until 30 minutes before sunset, and Sunday afternoons, according to the town. Swim season runs Memorial Day to Labor Day, and interest in the lake peaks in June. Expect early summer weekends to be busy, and fish early on weekdays for the quietest water.

Glenville Lake at Mazarick Park

Inside city limits, Mazarick Park at 1400 Belvedere Avenue surrounds a lake with paved trails. The city says the Glenville Lake Pier is open for fishing, with three firm rules:

1. Fish from the pier only. Fishing from the bank or shoreline is prohibited.
2. No boats or watercraft of any kind.
3. A state fishing license is required, and the city's Recreation Uses on Watershed Lakes Ordinance applies.

The park is open 8 a.m. to dusk. It works well for a short session with children, since the pier keeps everyone in one place. Our parks guide covers the disc golf course and the rest of Mazarick Park.

Cape Fear River Access

Fayetteville Boating Access Area

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission manages the Fayetteville Boating Access Area off Wilmington Highway (2487 Wilmington Hwy, per its Google listing). The Fayetteville visitors bureau lists American shad, catfish, largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass and sunfish for this stretch of the river, with canoe access as well as a boat ramp.

The river rises fast after heavy rain, and the Commission closes ramps during high water. Check its boating access closures page before towing a boat. When we checked on October 14, 2026, no Cumberland County site was on the list.

Campbellton Landing

Closer to downtown, the visitors bureau describes Campbellton Landing as a privately maintained ramp run by Deep Creek Outfitters, the bait-and-tackle shop at 1122 Person Street, with free bank fishing. Ask the shop about current launch fees before you go.

To scout the river on foot first, the Cape Fear River Trail and parks guide covers the greenway and Clark Park.

Lake Rim Park

Lake Rim Park at 2214 Tar Kiln Drive has a lake that rangers use for guided afternoon kayak tours, with kayaks, paddles and life vests provided, according to the city's park page. The visitors bureau lists catfish, largemouth bass and sunfish there, plus a fishing pier. The city page does not describe fishing facilities, so call the park office at (910) 433-1018 to confirm before you pack rods.

Fishing on Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg manages its own lakes through the iSportsman permit system. Key points from its FAQ:

• Civilians can buy a permit, even with no military affiliation.
• Permits can be bought online or at the Wildlife Branch office, (910) 432-5427.
• Civilians need a visitor pass from the Visitor Control Center next to the All American Access Control Point to enter the cantonment. Our Fort Bragg visitor access guide explains that process.
• No check-in is required to go fishing once you hold a permit.

A Fort Bragg permit is required on top of your North Carolina license, not instead of it. Ask the Wildlife Branch which lakes are open before you go.

Fishing License Rules

North Carolina licenses are sold online through Go Outdoors North Carolina or through license agents. Links to both are on the NC Wildlife Resources Commission licensing page. What the Commission states:

• Youth under 16 are exempt from any fishing license requirement (License Types and Fees).
• July 4 is a free fishing day: state law waives the license requirement on all public waters that day; other fishing rules still apply (G.S. 113-174.1).
• A few other exceptions are set by state rules, so check the Wildlife Resources Commission's license page if you think one applies.
• A coastal license is a separate license for anglers 16 and older fishing coastal or joint waters. Fayetteville's lakes and the Cape Fear River here are inland waters.
• Customer service is available weekdays at 833-950-0575.

Size and creel limits vary by species and water. Check the current Commission regulations before you keep fish.

Learn to Fish in Fayetteville

The state's John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center at 7489 Raeford Road runs fishing programs for all ages from a universally accessible fishing platform. Its events are free to eligible participants unless noted, but pre-registration is required.

In summer, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation includes fishing in two day camps for ages 8 to 12: Summer Adventures at Lake Rim Park and Outdoor Adventure Week at Clark Park.

Plan the Rest of Your Day

• Pair a morning on the water with a trail walk from our hiking trails guide.
• Day trips to state parks and the coast are in weekend getaways from Fayetteville.
• For more outdoor ideas, start with things to do in Fayetteville.

Each location above was checked against its operator's website or a live Google Maps listing when this guide was last updated. Lake levels and access rules change, so confirm before you drive.