Also noteworthy to boaters are the sapling stakes dotting the river, strung with nets in the early spring and late fall. The nets are usually buoyed by corks or plastic bottles or marked by white flags. The many wandering tributaries promise scenic canoeing and exciting fishing. Much of the Neuse River's shoreline south of New Bern forms one of the boundaries of the vast 157,000-acre Croatan National Forest. Here locals and visitors enjoy public recreation areas, with swimming and picnic facilities near the Minnesott ferry terminal and at Flanner's Beach south of New Bern.
Fishing Expect to hook bass, bream, flounder and many more fish in local waters.
Bass fishing tournaments are popular competitions often scheduled during the year as fund-raising events by area organizations. Swiss Bear Inc. usually schedules a bass-fishing competition during Mumfest each October. The Neuse River is also home to many crabs, the catching of which provides tasty and profitable rewards for many locals. But along its river shoreline, oystering, crabbing and flounder gigging can be worthwhile efforts. If you just like to cruise backwoods waters, several forest locations have fishing piers and boat ramps, including Brices Creek, Cahooque Creek, Catfish Lake, Great Lake and Haywood Landing.