Anglers at Max Patch Pond have better fishing opportunities now that the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the U.S. Forest Service have completed renovations to the 1.5-acre pond, located in the Pisgah National Forest in on the Haywood-Madison countyline.

Renovations included installing a floating fishing pier, a concrete sidewalk connecting the pier to a new van-accessible parking pad, a refurbished fishing platform, a stabilized section of eroding trail on the Max Patch loop directly above a spring drainage feeding the pond and cross-pipe culverts to divert runoff. Trees, shrubs and other plants were also planted along the road and pond to protect water quality, with participation from Trout Unlimited volunteers.

“These improvements will safeguard the pond for the next generation of anglers,” said Scott Loftis, an aquatic habitat coordinator with the Commission.