Fishing Regulations in North Carolina
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official North Carolina fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
North Carolina requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available, along with 10-day trip licenses. A Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) is required for saltwater fishing and is separate from the inland license.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | 14 inches minimum (varies by water) | Year-round | Regulations vary by specific water body. Always check current NCWRC regulations. |
| smallmouth-bass | 5 per day (combined with largemouth) | 14 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| striped-bass | 4 per day (varies by water) | 20 inches minimum | Year-round (closed seasons on some waters) | Significant variation by water body. |
| crappie | 20 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| rainbow-trout | 7 per day | No minimum (varies by water) | Year-round (special regulations on some waters) | Delayed harvest and catch-and-release only waters have special rules. |
| channel-catfish | 10 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| redfish | 1 per day | 18-27 inches slot limit | Year-round | CRFL required. |
| flounder | 4 per day | 15 inches minimum | Varies by year | CRFL required. Check current season dates. |
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum (varies by water)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Regulations vary by specific water body. Always check current NCWRC regulations.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 4 per day (varies by water)
Size Limit: 20 inches minimum
Season: Year-round (closed seasons on some waters)
Notes: Significant variation by water body.
Bag Limit: 20 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 7 per day
Size Limit: No minimum (varies by water)
Season: Year-round (special regulations on some waters)
Notes: Delayed harvest and catch-and-release only waters have special rules.
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 18-27 inches slot limit
Season: Year-round
Notes: CRFL required.
Bag Limit: 4 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Varies by year
Notes: CRFL required. Check current season dates.
Top Fishing Waters
Lake Norman
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, striped-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish
Falls Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, striped-bass
Jordan Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, striped-bass
Kerr Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, striped-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, blue-catfish
Outer Banks
saltwaterSpecies: redfish, speckled-trout, flounder, king-mackerel, red-snapper
Pamlico Sound
saltwaterSpecies: redfish, speckled-trout, flounder
Nantahala River
riverSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, brook-trout
Davidson River
riverSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, brook-trout
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 15 lbs 14 oz | 1991 | Private Pond |
| smallmouth-bass | 10 lbs 2 oz | 1951 | Hiwassee Reservoir |
| striped-bass | 54 lbs 2 oz | 2000 | Hiwassee Reservoir |
| blue-catfish | 117 lbs | 2016 | Kerr Lake |
| channel-catfish | 40 lbs 4 oz | 1990 | Falls Lake |
| crappie | 4 lbs 15 oz | 1980 | Asheboro City Lake |
| rainbow-trout | 20 lbs 3 oz | 1998 | Nantahala River |
| brown-trout | 24 lbs 10 oz | 1998 | Nantahala River |
| redfish | 54 lbs 2 oz | 1984 | Outer Banks |
| king-mackerel | 67 lbs 8 oz | 1997 | Atlantic Ocean |