Land Purchase/Bass Fishing (Hickory, Marion: live in, groceries, cabin)

[jbear182]

My wife and are about 15 years from retirement and are starting to look for land to purchase. We currently live in the upper midwest and would like more moderate temperatures, a longer growing season and access to great bass fishing. We are looking for a few(+) acres of land at the base of the mountains of which we would build a small (1,000 - 1,500 SF) cabin in the next ten years or so. My wife would like to continue to raise chickens and tend to a decent sized vegetable garden. I love hiking and bass fishing. No need to be near a large city but not in the "middle of nowhere" either. Ideally, the land would be under $100,000 but could spend more for the right place. Please provide suggestions on locations.

[carolinadawg2]

Wilkes County, NC. Its at the base of the mountains, pretty rural, has a small town (N. Wilkesboro) for groceries and a decent fishing lake, Kerr Scott Reservoir.

Triple Threat - North Carolina Sportsman

[roadpony]

Kerr Scott Reservoir is a good suggestion. The article linked below says Lake Hickory, Lake Rhodhiss (near Hickory), and Lake James (near Marion) are all great bass fishing lakes. All of these are close to the mountains and "city amenities" too.

Here is an article from Game & Fish magazine on The Top Places for Bass Fishing in NC. Districts 5-9 cover the western half of the state and are near or in the mountains.

NC Bass Fishing Resource Guide

Fishing info at NC Wildlife Resources Commission