However, no one under 12 may operate a personal watercraft in North Carolina. The two most popular whitewater rivers are the Nantahala in Western North Carolina and the Chattooga along the S.C.-Georgia line. The Chattooga's Class III, IV and V whitewater draws about 90,000 people a year to challenge Bull Sluice, 7-Foot Falls and other rapids on this national Wild and Scenic River. Fishing Fishing in the Carolinas calls for fly rods, spinning rods and surf rods. Trout anglers cast for brooks, browns and rainbows in Western North Carolina's waters.
Mountain lakes hold smallmouth bass and walleye.
In the warmer Piedmont lakes, like those around Charlotte, anglers aim for largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, crappie and bluegills. All can be caught in the surf or from 34 ocean piers from Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks to the Charleston area. The winning blue marlin in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City in June weighed 831 pounds. The state has no saltwater license. Hiking Hikers can find trails in Charlotte-Mecklenburg's greenway systems and parks.