Print it. Bag it. Bring it.Phones die, screens crack, and most of this water has no signal. Print this map, fold it into a zip-top bag or dry bag with your license, and you have a backup your electronics can’t give you. Every marker is numbered so you can say exactly where you are.
| # | Point | Type | Lat, Lon | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smithfield Access Town of Smithfield - 1 launch lane | Access / boat ramp | 35.51473, -78.34802 | Town of Smithfield ramp on the upper river; carry-down access as well as a trailer lane. |
| 2 | Richardsons Bridge Access NC Wildlife Resources Commission - 1 launch lane | Access / boat ramp | 35.37540, -78.19798 | WRC ramp at the SR bridge east of Princeton; usual top of the Johnston County float. |
| 3 | Coxs Ferry Access NC Wildlife Resources Commission - 1 launch lane | Access / boat ramp | 35.35666, -78.13691 | WRC ramp between Princeton and Goldsboro. |
| 4 | Stevens Mill Access NC Wildlife Resources Commission - 1 launch lane | Access / boat ramp | 35.36713, -78.06728 | WRC ramp upstream of Goldsboro. |
| 5 | Goldsboro Access NC Wildlife Resources Commission - 1 launch lane | Access / boat ramp | 35.34823, -78.02362 | WRC ramp at Goldsboro. |
| 6 | Prices Landing Access NC Wildlife Resources Commission - 1 launch lane | Access / boat ramp | 35.31379, -77.94506 | WRC ramp downstream of Goldsboro in Wayne County. |
| 7 | Seven Springs Access Town of Seven Springs - 1 launch lane | Access / boat ramp | 35.22872, -77.84604 | Town-owned ramp at Seven Springs, the usual break between the Wayne and Lenoir County floats. |
| 8 | Kinston Access City of Kinston - 2 launch lanes | Access / boat ramp | 35.25754, -77.59060 | City of Kinston ramp with a carry-down for paddlers as well as the trailer lanes. |
| 9 | Maple Cypress Access NC Wildlife Resources Commission - 2 launch lanes | Access / boat ramp | 35.31366, -77.30282 | WRC ramp at Fort Barnwell, at the USGS gauge; common take-out before the river widens. |
| 10 | Neuse River near Fort Barnwell USGS 02091814 - real-time stage and flow | USGS gauge | 35.31389, -77.30278 | Roster gauge for this water. Read stage here before committing to the lower river. |
| 11 | Cow Pen Landing Access Craven County - 2 launch lanes | Access / boat ramp | 35.23865, -77.16684 | Craven County ramp with a paddle-craft carry-down, below Fort Barnwell. |
| 12 | Spring Garden Access Craven County - 2 launch lanes | Access / boat ramp | 35.21901, -77.14854 | Craven County ramp on the tidal reach above New Bern. |
| 13 | Bridgeton Access NC Wildlife Resources Commission - 1 launch lane | Access / boat ramp | 35.14469, -77.04772 | WRC ramp at Bridgeton, on the tidal water opposite New Bern. |
Gauge: USGS 02091814 — NEUSE RIVER NEAR FORT BARNWELL, NC. Live flow on the web page.
Species: Black Crappie, Blue Catfish, Bluegill, Bowfin, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Longnose Gar, Redbreast Sunfish, Striped Bass
Regulations: www.ncwildlife.gov/fishing/regulations
Emergency: call 911 and give the number of the nearest point on this map plus its coordinates.
Kinston Neuseway Park ramp — upstream access with parking and a paddle launch.
Fort Barnwell landing — closest access to the USGS gauge.
Cowpen Landing — mid-reach small-boat access.
Streets Ferry ramp — downstream access toward the tidal transition.
Highway 55 and Highway 43 crossings — bridge and bank access.
Neuse River Trail paddle access points — kayak put-ins along the Coastal Plain reach.
New Bern waterfront ramps — tidal-reach access below this section for stripers and drum.
Spring: striped bass push up from the estuary and redbreast begin to bed; the highest and most variable water.
Summer: redbreast and bream fishing peaks along shaded banks; flatheads feed hard after dark.
Fall: falling, clearing water and the best largemouth fishing of the year on wood.
Winter: deep-bend catfish and crappie; low, dark and slow, with almost no other boats.