RALEIGH, N.C. (March 28, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will not stock Balsam Lake in Jackson County with trout this season. The lake was drained by the U.S. Forest Service earlier this year to repair the dam.  Commission biologists will resume stocking the lake starting March 2012. Until stockings resume in Balsam Lake, anglers can visit other hatchery-supported trout waters in Jackson County, including Tanasee Lake and Wolf Lake. Anglers who want to fish other hatchery-supported waters in all 26 western North Carolina counties can download and print color-coded trout maps from the Commission’s website. The North Carolina Trout Fishing Maps book can be purchased from the N.C. Wild Store for $12.

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 21, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open approximately 1,100 miles of hatchery-supported trout waters in 25 western counties at 7 a.m. on April 2. The season will run until one-half hour after sunset on Feb. 28, 2012. While fishing on hatchery-supported trout waters, anglers can harvest a maximum of seven trout per day, with no minimum size limits or bait restrictions. Hatchery-supported trout waters, marked by green-and-white signs, are stocked repeatedly from March until August every year. Many of these waters are stocked monthly, although some heavily fished waters are stocked more frequently.  Due to continuing work to repair the dams on Lake James in Burke County, the hatchery-supported section of the Linville River, located downstream from the dam, will not be stocked this season. Likewise, Balsam Lake, which was drained by the U.S. Forest Service to repair a leak in the spillway, will not receive stockings thi

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 17, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed construction on the Astoria Landing Boating Access Area on the Roanoke River in Jamesville, which will open to the public Friday, March 18. The access are has two launch ramps with handicapped accessible docks, gravel parking and stormwater treatment facilities. The site, which was paid for through funds from the Sport Fish Restoration Program and motorboat registration receipts, also has a handicapped accessible fishing pier. “The Roanoke River is popular for both both boaters and anglers, and we are excited to provide this increased access to this treasured resource, said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “We expect this site to draw sportsmen and women from across North Carolina to Jamesville to launch boats and cast lines.” For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an intera

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 11, 2011) – The nomination period for membership to the Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee has been extended to 60 days. The closing date is now April 8, 2011. The 18-member committee, which advises the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on nongame and endangered wildlife issues across the state, meets four times per year. The person selected should be willing and able to contribute consistently as a volunteer to the efforts of the committee. Committee members have a diverse range of regional, habitat and species-specific expertise and advise the Commission on matters that fit their areas of expertise. In recent months, the Wildlife Resources Commission has needed assistance on marketing and fund-raising for nongame-related projects. Because of this need, the committee encourages nominations for people who have expertise in these two areas.  To nominate an individual for the committee, submit a nomination form detailing the reasons fo

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 3, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations on the Ocean Isle Beach Boating Access Area, which will reopen to the public Friday, March 4. The Commission has expanded and paved the parking lot and also added additional stormwater treatment facilities. “Our coastal region continues to be a popular destination for boaters across North Carolina, said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “These renovations will make Ocean Isle a more convenient spot for boaters, and we are pleased to provide this improved access to our state’s waters.” For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an interactive map of free, 24-hour boating access areas, visit Boating Maps/Locations.