TODD, N.C. (Sept. 23, 2016) – The Community of Todd recently joined the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program, established in 2008 to promote trout fishing as a North Carolina Heritage Tourism activity.

A half mile of trout stream on the South Fork New River in Todd, which is located in Ashe County, is now classified as the Community of Todd Mountain Heritage Trout Water. The section of stream includes Todd Island Park, an island located midstream in the river channel. The island is half a mile long with a fishable channel on each side of it. 

The half-mile section is a Delayed Harvest Trout Water with the following regulations from Oct. 1 until the first Saturday in June:

• No trout may be harvested or possessed;

• Fishing is restricted to artificial lures having one single hook;

• Natural bait may not be used or possessed.

On the first Saturday in June, Delayed Harvest Trout Waters open under hatchery-supported regulations. From 6 a.m. until 12 p.m., fishing is restricted to youth under 16 years old, and waters open to all anglers at noon under the following regulations:

• No bait or lure restriction;

• No size limit restriction;

• Seven (7) trout per day creel limit.

To fish the Mountain Heritage Trout Water section, anglers can purchase a special Mountain Heritage Trout Water license for $5. This special license is valid for three consecutive days and only for the portions of streams designated as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters, which are clearly marked with green and black signs. Anglers who currently hold a valid resident or non-resident North Carolina license that allows fishing in Public Mountain Trout Waters can fish Mountain Heritage Trout Waters without purchasing the special license.

The Mountain Heritage Trout Waters license is available only from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission by calling 1-888-248-6834 or visiting the website, www.ncwildlife.org. For more information on the program or to download Mountain Heritage Trout Waters maps, visit the Commission’s trout fishing webpage.