RALEIGH, N.C. (May 23, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open approximately 63.5 miles of trout streams and one lake classified as delayed-harvest trout waters under hatchery-supported regulations on Saturday, June 4. But there’s a catch . . . only anglers 15 years old and younger can fish these waters from 6 a.m. until 11:59 a.m. At noon, these waters open to all anglers. The youth-only fishing time frame is designed to promote trout fishing among young anglers and to provide special opportunities for young anglers to catch — and keep — fish. 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. Anglers age 16 and older need an inland fishing license and a special trout fishing privilege, which is included in the comprehensive and sportsman licenses, to fish in all designated public mountain trout waters

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 16, 2011) – Gov. Bev Perdue has issued a proclamation that May 21-27 be recognized as Safe Boating Week in North Carolina. With the start of the recreational boating season and National Safe Boating Week that week, the goal of Safe Boating Week in North Carolina is to emphasize the efforts to promote safe boating and encourage the wearing of personal flotation devices. Wildlife officers of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are charged with enforcing the boating laws and regulations on North Carolina waters, and can stop any vessel for safety checks or violations. In the course of their duties, these law enforcement officers patrol over 5,000 square miles of inland streams, rivers, lakes and coastal waterways, as well as 220 public boating access areas. “The best advice I can give anyone is to wear an appropriate life vest, no matter when or where they are boating,” said Maj. Chris Huebner, the state boating safety coordin

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 13, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations to the Beaufort Boating Access Area on Taylor’s Creek, which is now open to the public. “This site underwent a major renovation, and we are grateful for partnerships with several other agencies on this project,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “We added parking, and replaced the ramps and have added dock space. The restrooms have been refurbished and the site is also fully ADA accessible.” The road leading to the site has been realigned due to a three-way property swap between the Town of Beaufort, the N.C. Department of Transportation and a developer. In addition, Beaufort provided land for additional parking for boaters. The renovations were funded through sales of the Coastal Recreational Fishing License and motorboat registration receipts. For more infor

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 21, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations on the Spring Garden Boating Access Area, which is now open to the public. The site, on the Neuse River, has new docks and bulkhead and improvements to the parking lot. Workers also replaced a fishing pier. “This is one of four sites we have partnered with Craven County to renovate,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Wildlife Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “Last year, we renovated Maple Cypress and Cool Springs and, in the future, we’ll be working on one more site in Craven County. We are grateful for this partnership that is allowing us to do the work on these sites.” Like all of the commission’s more than 200 public boating access areas, the Spring Garden ramp is free and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an in

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 20, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations to the Castle Hayne Boating Access Area, which is now open to the public. Renovations include a paved parking lot, new docks and ramps and a new fishing pier. The renovated site was paid for through funds from the Sport Fish Restoration Program and motorboat registration receipts. “This popular fishing spot is always busy in the spring and summer,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “This major renovation, including the addition of the fishing pier, will greatly benefit boaters and anglers headed to the Cape Fear in northeast New Hanover County.” For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an interactive map of boating access areas, visit www.ncwildlife.org/boating.