Welcome to Fishing's most frequently asked questions and popular topics.
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Do you have a more specific fish or fish-related question? See our Ask a Biologist page to learn more! |
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The Regulations Digest is available on this Web site and from any North Carolina license agent.
What can I do to get rid of the weeds in my pond? Contact the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in your county. Usually they will require you to bring in a sample of the weed for identification. Once the weed is identified, they will provide you with recommendations on how to control it. I have weeds growing in my pond and I want to stock triploid grass carp. What do I need to do? First, you need to contact your local Cooperative Extension Service office and get your vegetation identified. They will recommend the best course of action to remedy the aquatic vegetation problem. If you have been told by a qualified expert that the type of vegetation can be controlled by triploid grass carp, then you should contact the Cooperative Extension Service and obtain a list of hatcheries where triploid grass carp can be purchased. We recommend that you stock 8-10" fish at a rate of 10-15 fish per vegetated acre. How do I get my pond stocked? A list of private hatcheries that will sell you fish is available from the N.C. Department of Agriculture in Raleigh, (919) 733-2655. For stocking rates, species, and stocking times, we recommend you also obtain a copy of the Pond Management Guide, which is available free of charge from the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service or from the Wildlife Resources Commission. Should I stock crappie in my pond? No. In most cases crappie tend to overpopulate a pond, resulting in many small crappie and no larger ones. This also tends to undermine the balance of predator to prey fish in your pond, which leads to poor fishing. Should I stock fish in my pond that I caught from another source? Generally no. You may upset the balance of predator fish to prey fish in the pond. Stocking fish from another source can also lead to introduction of diseases. What species should I stock in my pond? That depends on the size of the pond, the amount of fishing that you will be doing and the purpose for which the pond was built. There are several options available to pond owners depending upon the individual situation. The Pond Management Guide available free of charge from the Agricultural Extension Service and the Wildlife Resources Commission explains the various options. How do I get my pond's water quality checked? Contact the N.C. Department of Agriculture, (919) 733-2655. They will ask you for sediment samples from the bottom of your pond. The pond sediment analysis is conducted free of charge and you will be provided a print-out of the test results. Included in this analysis will be a determination of whether you need to lime your pond and how much lime your pond may need.
How do you know when a trout hatchery is going to stock a particular stream? This information is on the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's Web site under the Fishing Seasons and Stocking Schedules. How many species of trout do you stock? Three. Brook trout, which are native to North Carolina, are stocked, as well as the exotic brown and rainbow trout. Does the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission supply fish for stocking in ponds? No. You must contact a commercial hatchery to stock your own pond. How do I get in touch with a commercial hatchery? A list of hatcheries licensed to sell fish in North Carolina is available from your local North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. See also the Commercial Hatcheries page. Which streams receive regular trout stockings? Catchable size trout are stocked at frequent intervals during the months of March through August in the following waters: Little River in Alleghany County, N. Fork New River in Ashe County, N. Toe River in Avery County, Wilson Creek in Caldwell County, Big Snowbird in Graham County, Tuckaseegee River in Jackson County, Rocky Broad River in Rutherford County, Davidson River in Transylvania County, E. Prong Roaring River in Wilkes County, and S. Toe River in Yancey County. Can I find out when my favorite trout stream is stocked? Trout stocking dates are not publicized in advance of stocking, but you can access a weekly stocking update of waters receiving brook, brown and rainbow trout through the Coldwater Stocking Schedule. How often do you stock fish? The Wildlife Resources Commission regularly stocks trout in some of our more marginal trout streams, channel catfish in our Community Fishing Program lakes, and striped bass in some reservoirs. Most of North Carolina's streams, rivers and lakes don't need supplemental fish stockings as long as anglers are practicing good conservation with the naturally reproducing fish populations.
What is the minimum size limit on striped bass and striped bass hybrids in the Cape Fear River? Eighteen (18) inches. What is the minimum size limit on striped bass and striped bass hybrids in the Roanoke River Striped Bass Management Area? During the open season, 18 inches AND no striped bass between 22 inches and 27 inches in length may be possessed at any time AND only one fish of the two-fish limit may be greater than 27 inches. What is a "slot limit" and why are they used? A protective slot limit prevents mid-sized fish from being harvested, but allows harvesting smaller and larger fish. Anglers harvesting fish below the protective slot may take advantage of a great number of small fish, which allows mid-sized fish a better opportunity to survive and grow out of the protected size range. As the protected mid-sized fish continue to grow, they eventually become harvestable-sized, large fish.
Where can I get help setting up a fishing event for kids? Each district has a coordinator for Fish For Fun events. These coordinators can assist with event planning and provide fishing "grab bags" to give away at your event. In addition, the coordinators can direct you to Community Fishing Program Sites and Fishing Tackle Loaner Program sites, where children can fish in waters regularly stocked with channel catfish and where loaner rods and reels are available free of charge. Contact the Fish Division office at (919) 707-0220 to get the name of the coordinator in your area.
Do you need a fishing license to fish on your own land? No. Landowners may fish on their property without a fishing license. You can view all License Requirements here. What do I need to get my property "Posted" for no trepassing, hunting, trapping or fishing? If someone wants their property “Posted” where no person can be on there property trespassing for any purpose they need to call their local Sheriff’s Department. They can provide the information on how to properly “Post” the property where it will be legally binding. How do I register my property through the N.C. Wildlife Commission to allow hunting, trapping or fishing with written permission? The Registered Land Program is offered by our Wildlife Enforcement division to assist with people that disregard landowner’s rights. Through the program, landowners, landholders and leasees can request the assistance of local wildlife enforcement officers to enforce trespassing for hunting, fishing and trapping. The local officer will determine if the person has permission to hunt, fish or trap the property and charge persons that do not have this permission. The landowners must follow specific guidelines for posting property and issuing permits. Wildlife officers do not enforce general trespass on these lands. You may write or call for an information packet at:
Where can I fish for walleye? Mountain reservoirs with significant walleye fisheries include Hiwassee (Cherokee County), Santeetlah (Graham County), Fontana (Swain County), 'Glenville' or Thorpe (Jackson County) and Lake James (McDowell/Burke Counties). Other mountain reservoirs with walleye fisheries include Bear (Jackson County), Nantahala (Macon County) and Chatuge (Clay County), where the current state record walleye (13 lbs. 8 oz.) was caught in 1986. Walleye are occasionally caught in other mountain reservoirs including Cheoah, Calderwood, Appalachia and Rhodhiss, but the waters listed above provide the best walleye fishing opportunities in North Carolina. In the northern Piedmont, walleye may be found in Lake Gaston near the Virginia border (Warren/Northampton Counties), where the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries stocks 100,000 walleye fingerlings annually. Where can I fish for trout? Trout are generally confined to the higher altitude waters in the western part of the state. North Carolina has an estimated 4,000 miles of trout water and approximately 2,000 miles are managed for public fishing. Trout waters are designated as Hatchery Supported Waters, Delayed Harvest Waters, Wild Trout Waters, and Catch and Release Waters. Many of the state's trout waters are found in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Names like Rough Butt, Rattlesnake Ridge, Hogback Mountain, and Santeetlah conjure visions of breathtaking views, long difficult climbs, and the tranquility of fishing in solitude. Those willing to undertake a fishing adventure to such waters will enjoy a truly unique experience. For more detailed information, view the trout fishing maps here.
Are fish caught in our rivers safe to eat? Generally, fish taken from most North Carolina waters are safe to eat. For information about consuming fish from a specific river, contact the Epidemiology Section of the N.C. Division of Public Health, or call (919) 733-3410. Additional links:
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