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Wildlife Commission Opening Delayed-Harvest Trout Waters under Hatchery-Supported Regulations RALEIGH, N.C. (May 30, 2006) – Anglers fishing in mountain waters designated as “delayed-harvest” can keep the trout they catch beginning at 6 a.m. on June 3, when regulations change to “hatchery-supported.” Under hatchery-supported regulations, in effect through Sept. 30, anglers can keep a maximum of seven trout per day, with no bait restrictions or minimum size limits. Of the 1,120 miles of state trout waters designated as hatchery-supported,
54 miles and one lake are further classified as delayed-harvest. From
October to the first Saturday in June, delayed-harvest regulations allow
only catch-and-release fishing, and anglers can fish only with artificial
lures with one hook. Delayed-harvest trout waters are posted with diamond-shaped,
black-and-white signs. Today, the program includes 18 bodies of water. Many of these waters are located on land that is privately owned and can be removed from the program at any time at the discretion of the landowner. While many landowners allow access to trout waters that flow through their properties, others are feeling encroached upon due to the irresponsible actions of a few anglers, said Carl Kittel, who coordinates hatchery production for the Commission. “We think the delayed-harvest program provides terrific fishing opportunities for the general public, but it has become such a big program that we can only do it in cooperation with private landowners,” Kittel said. “And landowners will only continue to grant access to waters on their properties as long as anglers are respectful of their privacy and their properties.” To help prevent the closure of waters in the delayed-harvest program, anglers should:
Hunting, camping, picnicking and activities other than fishing typically are not allowed unless the landowner grants permission. For a list of delayed-harvest
waters organized by county, consult the Commission’s regulations
digest or view the fishing regulations
online.
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