Holland Lake Fort Bragg NC

Lat / Long:  35.177419  -79.294937

Description:

Holland Lake is a managed bass lake located at the northern boundary near the Little River north of Manchester road near Holland Drop Zone. This lake is about 185 yards wide at the northern end and 410 yards long on the west side.  Its secluded and not unusual to find couples swimming when you pull in off the fire break that leads to Holland Lake off of Manchester road.  Holland Lake contains sunfish, crappie, bass, catfish and pickerel.   This lake has some stumps and submerged logs with many of them submerged just below the surface.  South part of the lake has a lot of shade.  There is plenty of cover all around the lake but the lilly pads offer some great fishing on the western side. There are several places to launch kayaks but formal boat ramps do not exist.  The channel runs along the western shore and is productive on most days.  (Based on anchor depth over several months)

Access:

Holland Lake is outside the secure area of Fort Bragg and accessible by Manchester road (public road).   There is a sign (Point #1) indicating the entrance route to Holland Lake off of Manchester Road.  At Point #2, turn north onto the firebreak.  The following firebreak intersections may have a lot of loose sand depending on when the last rain took place.  If you are unsure, park on solid ground and walk in.  Once near the lake, there is plenty of parking spots.

Main Post to Holland Lake

 

Point #1   [Lat/Long:  35.169080  -79.288649]  Sign along Manchester Road indicating route to Holland Lake

Point #2  [Lat/Long:  35.168931    -79.292780]  Turn to get on firebreak that leads to Holland Lake

Point #3   [Lat/Long:  35.178052  -79.296158] is the boat launch point on the western shore of Holland Lake

Launch Site:

Parking available on the western side of the lake.  The launch point is unimproved but works well for kayaks. This launch site can support john boats with trailers.  Firm sand goes about 20 feet into the lake.

Bank Fishing:

Numerous sites allow access to the lake for bank fishing.  The dam breast is usable for fishing.  Fishing near the dam breast in the late evening will produce results.  This may be the best bank fishing lake on Fort Bragg.  There are breaks in the vegetation all around the lake including the south side near the feeder stream.

Timing:

No surprise here.  Early Spring through June is good.  April was the best month.  Mornings are good.  Last hour of light is the best time. July and August slows down.  I have caught fish between 1000 and 1300 during the late spring.

HOT SPOTS. 

 

 A:  Northwest corner of the lake that has both the shade of a tree and lilly pads.  This area is always worth a few cast.  Before going on shore for the evening, you can always catch a fish before dark here.

B:  Large mechanical drain.  This location has been productive

C:  Caught crappie and bass in the open water.  I think it is a relatively deep hole or a shelf.

D:  Cover near bank includes submerged logs.  Good for pan fish.

E:  First deep hole past the feeder entrance.  Bass and panfish.

F:  Channel of feeder creek is about 10 feet deep and productive.

G:  Random stumps and submerged logs

H:  Lilly pads

I:  Very shallow water but have caught sun fish and bass in the shallows.  This is the least productive area of Holland Lake.

Editor’s Opinion:

This was my favorite Sunday evening fishing hole.  Normally, expect to be the only person on the lake on a Sunday evening.  Just a warning: the seclusion of Holland Lake invites skinny dippers and parties.  Even in deep summer, the fishing got hot at dusk.