North Carolina
Jacob Fork at Ramsey
Current River Rating
Poor · 31
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Low chance of precipitation.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 9.99 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.65 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 02143040 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Mostly clear
Temperature
76°F
Feels like
83°F
Wind
4 mph N
Wind gust
5 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.28 in
Last 48 hours
0.28 in
Some recent rainfall may begin influencing river conditions.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 12 PM
Clear
Temp 89°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 4 PM
Clear
Temp 94°F
Chance 15%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 80°F
Chance 13%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 76°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 94°F / Low 74°F
Chance 17%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 87°F / Low 70°F
Chance 70%
Precip 0.04 in
Max gust 24 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 84°F / Low 67°F
Chance 70%
Precip 0.05 in
Max gust 22 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 87°F / Low 63°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
Jacob Fork at Ramsey, North Carolina. Monitoring-Backed via accepted air-derived river-trout path: USGS reports live 00060 and 00065 without water temperature.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Jacob Fork.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Jacob Fork at Ramsey is the South Mountains State Park trout reach in Burke County. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions via accepted air-derived river-trout scoring from USGS 02143040 (live discharge and stage; no live water temperature). Distinct from Linville 02138500 and from Wilson Creek, which has no live USGS IV in this audit. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NCWRC Jacob Fork / South Mountains rainbow trout. USGS 02143040. Not Wilson Creek.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NCWRC Jacob Fork brown trout.
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brook trout in colder Jacob Fork headwaters.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
South Mountains trout water on Jacob Fork, Burke County, distinct from Linville Gorge and from Wilson Creek.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by NCWRC trout waters and South Mountains State Park access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 02143040. Park hours and trail access apply.
Stocking information
NCWRC manages Jacob Fork trout waters, including delayed-harvest / hatchery-supported water in South Mountains State Park. Confirm current official trout waters and stocking separately.
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Official sources
NCWRC trout waters and South Mountains State Park rules apply. This identity is not Wilson Creek. Confirm current NCWRC Fishing Regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Burke, North Carolina
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Burke
Management Category
State-park trout river
Regulation Scope
Jacob Fork at Ramsey
Regulation Summary
Jacob Fork at Ramsey: NCWRC inland trout-stream rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout, brook-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…
