Delayed-Harvest Trout Waters Open Under Hatchery-Supported Regulations on June 4
On June 4, 34 trout streams and two lakes classified as delayed-harvest trout waters will open under hatchery-supported regulations. From 6 a.m. to 11:59, these waters are open only to anglers 15 years old and younger. They will open to all anglers beginning at noon. While open under hatchery-supported regulations, anglers can keep up to seven trout per day — with no bait restrictions and no minimum size limits. Delayed-harvest waters will remain open under hatchery-supported regulations until Sept. 30. More
Officers Urge: Wear a Life Jacket, Conduct a Boat Safety Check, and Don’t Drink and Drive
Memorial Day weekend brings boating to mind for thousands of North Carolinians. To help keep them safe, each summer the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission teams up with N.C. State Highway Patrol and others to promote this message: “On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive.” Our goal is to eliminate the needless accidents, sometimes fatal, that occur when operators mix drinking and driving. Enforcement officers will be out in force on the road and on the water during peak summer weekends. Please help us spread the message: wear a life jacket, conduct a boat safety check, and don’t drink and drive. More
Free Kids' Fishing Events Held Statewide from Late May to Early June
Kids can fish for free and register to win more than 100 fishing-related prizes, including two lifetime licenses, at one of more than 35 kids’ fishing events being conducted across the state in late May and early June. Supported by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Neuse Sport Shop of Kinston, Trout Unlimited and the U.S. Forest Service, these events are held annually to encourage kids to go fishing. Learn more and find an event near you.
July 4 is free fishing day in North Carolina. From 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., everyone in North Carolina can fish in any public body of water without purchasing a fishing license or additional trout fishing license. Residents and non-residents can fish for free in public, inland waters, as well as coastal waters, although they will need to abide by all other fishing regulations, such as size and creel limits, as well as lure restrictions.
To assist anglers and boaters, the Wildlife Commission has compiled a list of websites with information on current stream flow conditions and projected release schedules from hydro power stations. Find the link on the agency’s website on the “Where to Fish,” “Trout” and “Boating” pages. Or access the N.C. Stream Conditions page directly.
The beginning of May through the end of July marks the timeframe when female bats are raising their young — called pups. Wildlife Commission biologists urge homeowners to avoid closing up holes or installing eviction devices during this time, as young bats, like other mammals, depend on their mother for survival during the first few weeks of life. Once the pup-rearing season has ended in late July, homeowners should determine how bats are entering the house and permanently seal all potential entry points. Learn more about bats and ways to help bat populations.
Leave Wildlife Alone for their Safety and Yours
They're cute, they're cuddly and they may look "abandoned." But, in the vast majority of cases, young animals are not abandoned and the Wildlife Commission urges people to resist approaching, handling, moving or feeding any wildlife — all of which can harm or ultimately kill the animal and can create a risk for human safety. In addition, keeping native mammals or birds in North Carolina without a permit is illegal in North Carolina and can lead to situations that are dangerous for the animal and humans alike. Wild animals that lose their fear of humans typically don’t survive in the wild and those that do often become threats to people. Learn more
Champions Crowned at Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament
Forbush High School and North Stanly Middle School took top honors at the 2016 Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament on April 30 at the John F. Lentz Hunter Education Complex in Richmond County. The annual pre-collegiate state championship is hosted by the Wildlife Commission with assistance from the North Carolina National Guard and National Rifle Association for youth to showcase outdoor skills and demonstrate safety techniques learned through the Hunter Education Program. Approximately 600 students from 60 teams participated in the state tournament. More
Know Your Trout Stream Designations
Delayed-harvest trout waters open under hatchery-supported regulations on Saturday, June 4. But what does that mean exactly? For the novice trout angler, stream designations in the Wildlife Commission’s Public Mountain Trout Waters Program might need some explaining. On the agency’s Conserve and Protect blog is a list of all seven trout stream classifications, along with descriptions and associated regulations.
Lab Results on Red Wolf Death Confirm Gunshot Wound
Recent lab results confirmed that a federally protected red wolf was killed by a gunshot wound last fall. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has offered a $2,500 reward for information that leads to successful prosecution in this case. More
Bobcat T-shirts Still Available — Get Yours Today!
The official N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission T-shirt this year features a bobcat and the agency’s distinctive diamond logo on the front and an enlarged image of the bobcat on the back. The beige, 100% cotton T-shirt comes in adult sizes for $15. Available at Neuse Sport Shop.
Other News
Wildlife Commission Seeks Volunteers for Lake Gaston Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Project
State Wildlife Action Plan Receives Federal Go-Ahead
Free Kids’ Fishing Event at Neuseway Nature Park on June 4
Free Programs Offered at Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in June
Pechmann Center Offers Family Fishing and Rod Building Workshops
Second Year of Hydrilla Management Pilot Study in Eno River Begins First Week of May
Clarification on the Temporary Rule to Allow the Take of Bears Using Unprocessed Foods
N.C. Wildlife Update
Upland Gazette
WRC Rulemaking