Most of these were caught on Powerbait. There are many articles and videos online regarding using Powerbait, I'll not cover the details here. Go with light line or leader (6# or less) and you will get significantly more bites.
You are not supposed to use your own boat, and rentals don't start until around Memorial Day, and end a few weeks past Labor Day. Bank fishing is fairly accessible around much of the lake.
Hanging Rock is unusual in that no Trout Stamp/License is required, but a General NC Fishing License is required.
The Trout are not expected to live year round, and are stocked in April and in October at this time.
I will post a couple of pictures of the Plaques that are on the fishing pier...
