Blue Catfish

Scientific Name: Ictalurus furcatus
Classification: Nongame Fish
Abundance: Common in large rivers and Piedmont reservoirs.
Overview: Blue catfish, like flathead catfish, are native to the Mississippi River Basin. They have been introduced to many river basins that flow to the Atlantic Ocean, such as the Cape Fear and Catawba rivers in North Carolina. They are most common in large rivers, where they often favor faster currents than other catfish.

Sportfish Profile (pdf)

     

North Carolina offers some great fishing opportunities. If you are a resident or visitor to the state, please review the links below to ensure that you understand the rules, regulations and other guidelines.

The following fishing regulations are effective August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013.

Inland Fishing Regulations (PDF)
Regulatory authority between the Wildlife Resources Commission and Division of Marine Fisheries. Inland game fish regulations include Manner of Taking, Seasons and Using Trotlines and Set-hooks.

There are no closed seasons on inland game fishes with the following exceptions (PDF).
Visible By Administrators Only

Largemouth Bass

03/08/12 Cape Fear River Black Bass Survey (PDF)

02/03/12 Lookout Shoals Lake Largemouth Bass Assessment (PDF)

12/09/11 Lake Lucas Largemouth Bass Assessment (PDF)

11/28/11 Hyco Lake Largemouth Bass Assessment (PDF)

11/28/11 Oak Hollow Lake Largemouth Bass Assessment (PDF)

09/06/11 Status of Largemouth Bass and Pumpkinseed Populations in Lake Phelps (PDF)

06/20/11 Sportfish populations in Northwest River and Tulls Creek (PDF) 

03/31/11 Sutton Lake Sportfish Assessment (PDF)

03/19/10 White Oak and New Rivers Boast Quality Sunfish Fishing Opportunities in Coastal North Carolina (PDF)

03/31/09 Popularity Contest Winners Announced: Largemouth Bass and Striped Bass Tops Among Tar River Anglers (PDF) 

03/28/09 Chowan River a Favorite Among Largemouth Bass Anglers (PDF)

03/28/09 Evaluation of the Black Bass Population in Lake James, North Carolina (PDF)

03/28/09 The Influence of Growth and Mortality on Largemouth Bass Size in Coastal Rivers (PDF) 

2009 Fish Assemblage Response Following a Hurricane-induced Fish Kill in the Lower Roanoke River, NC (PDF)

March 2008 Contribution Of Stocked Largemouth Bass Following Hurricane-induced Fish Kills in 2 NC Coastal Rivers (PDF)

2008 Largemouth Bass Assessment at B. Everett Jordan Reservoir, 2008 (PDF)

2007 Assessment of Largemouth Bass at Falls of the Neuse Reservoir, 2007 (PDF)

2006 Winter  Lake Norman Fisheries Sampling and Assessment (PDF)

2006 Fall  Trophy Largemouth Bass Management at Lake Phelps (PDF)

2003 Potential Value of Neuse River Recreational Fishery Tops $4,000,000 a Year (PDF)

 

Smallmouth Bass

01/10/12 Smallmouth Bass in Western North Carolina Rivers and Streams (PDF) 

03/28/09 Evaluation of the Black Bass Population in Lake James, North Carolina (PDF) 

Blue Catfish

03/28/09 Cape Fear River a Haven for Catfish Anglers (PDF)

 

Channel Catfish

03/28/09 Cape Fear River a Haven for Catfish Anglers (PDF)

 

Flathead Catfish

03/28/09 Cape Fear River a Haven for Catfish Anglers (PDF)

03/28/09 Tar River is Home of Trophy Flathead Catfish (PDF)

White and Yellow Perch

06/20/11 Sportfish populations in Northwest River and Tulls Creek (PDF)  

Brook, Brown, and Rainbow Trout