Fishing in North Carolina

Where to Fish

What to Catch

Seasons & Limits

There are no closed seasons on inland game fishes with the following exceptions:

 

Laws & Safety

North Carolina offers some of the nation's best fishing with abundant species and trophy game fish. If you are a resident or visitor to the state, please review this link to ensure that you understand the rules, regulations and other guidelines governing North Carolina's inland, joint and coastal fishing waters. 

 

To make certain that the public is safe, responsible, and free to enjoy boating activities throughout the state, the Wildlife Resources Commission enforces laws and regulations that all should observe. This link provides a resource for obtaining the facts you need to know.

 

Disabled Programs

 

Hatcheries & Stocking

Stocking Your Pond / Pond Management

Fishing Records

Additional Fishing Resources



Important Fish Info

How to Report Fish Kills

To report a fish kill or find locations of reported fish kills in North Carolina, visit the NC Division of Water Resources.

Fish Consumption Advisories

Fish consumption advisories are issued by the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, N.C. Division of Public Health. Find current fish advisories for the state of North Carolina and for specific bodies of water in North Carolina at this link Fish Consumption Advisories.

Coastal Recreational Fishing Information

NC Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan

 

Regulatory Updates

2022 Striped Bass Harvest Season for the Roanoke River Management Area

  • The entire Roanoke River Management Area will be open for harvest of striped bass April 23 – 24 and April 28 – 29. In addition, the daily creel limit has changed to one striped bass per day. The minimum length limit is 18 inches, and no striped bass between 22 and 27 inches may be possessed at any time.

Striped Bass information

Read Feb. 14, 2022 news release

Rhodes Pond Dam Update

For a timeline on Rhodes Pond dating back to 2005 and other information regarding the lake, visit the Rhodes Pond Update webpage.

Aquatic Nuisance Update

For more information on Gill Lice, Whirling Disease, Didymo and other aquatic nuisance species, view the Aquatic Nuisance Species webpage.