Stay and Play in the Smokies
Burningtown Creek

Burningtown Creek

Categories: Play, Fishing, Fishing for Hatchery Supported Trout
County
Macon County
 
Coordinates
35.22819, -83.47144
 
Access
Easy via N.C. Hwy-28 N/
Iotla Church Road/
Burningtown Road/
Middle Burningtown Rd. 
 
Nearest City
Franklin
Distance From
Franklin, 8.8 miles

Difficulty Levels

  • Fishing3/4

Highlights

  •  Hatchery Supported Creek with a great chance to catch fish 
  •  Great place for beginners to catch fish 
  •  Brook, Brown and Rainbow Trout 
  •  Valid N.C. License Required 
  •  Limit of 7 fish, No minimum size
  •  Multiple access points

The Local Scoop

We recommend fishing Burningtown Creek to anyone who desires to catch fish. This creek is regularly stocked during the months of March through July with Brook, Rainbow and Brown trout. When I was younger my grandpa would take my brother and me fishing here due to it's ease of access and for a good chance to catch fish. The creek banks can be a bit weedy and there is a possibility of seeing snakes here (just like anywhere else though) so just be aware of your surroundings.
There are two bridges on Middle Burningtown Road and they are the stock points for the hatchery supported waters. These are usually good access points down to the creek. Expect to catch fish anywhere from 10-12 inches in length with a few larger ones lurking. Remember your N.C. Wildlife Fishing license before you wet your line. Hatchery Supported Regulations apply.
We recommend either trying your luck at the first bridge, heading up to the 2nd bridge or trying above the 2nd one via the multiple roadside pull-offs. We would also suggest trying your luck on down what is now  "Lower Burningtown Road" (turn around on Middle Burningtown Road and take a left at the stop sign) at "Kelly Cove Road" bridge, "Younce Creek" bridge & "Welch Road" bridge (see photo gallery signs).

Local Directions

From Franklin, NC
From Franklin head North on N.C. Hwy-28 for approx. 3 miles to "Iotla Church Road" on your left. Continue on this road for approx. 2.2 miles where Iotla Church Road turns into Burningtown Road. Continue for another 2.7 miles until you reach "Middle Burningtown Road" on your left.  See signs for Burningtown Baptist Church. Take this left to the first bridge. This is Burningtown Creek.  Either access the creek here or cruise on up this stretch of creek to the next bridge and beyond.