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N.C. Angler Recognition Program

So you caught a big fish (nice!), but it doesn’t quite qualify for a freshwater fishing state record. Good news – you can still have your catch officially recognized by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission through the N.C. Angler Recognition Program.

 

Interested in recognition for your saltwater catch? The state's Division of Marine Fisheries offers its own program for saltwater species of fish. Learn more about the NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament here.

Latest, Greatest Catches!

John Szejda Rainbow Trout Davidson River John Szejda; Rainbow Trout; Davidson River
Donald Burnett Flathead Catfish Mountain Island Lake Donald Burnett; Flathead Catfish; Mountain Island Lake
Willam Tatum Largemouth Bass Forsyth County Willam Tatum; Largemouth Bass; Forsyth County
Earley Baker Longnose Gar Goshen Swamp Earley Baker; Longnose Gar; Goshen Swamp
Jackson Hepler Brown Trout Linville Land Harbour Lake Jackson Hepler; Brown Trout; Linville Land Harbour Lake
John McHugh Rainbow Trout Nantahala River John McHugh; Rainbow Trout; Nantahala River
Joseph Hulon Jr Bluegill Canal in Bladen County Joseph Hulon, Jr.; Bluegill; Canal in Bladen County
Jeffrey Hayes Kokanee Salmon Nantahala Lake Jeffrey Hayes; Kokanee Salmon; Nantahala Lake
Corey Gue Largemouth Bass Lake Waccamaw Corey Gue; Largemouth Bass; Lake Waccamaw
Claude McInstosh Bowfin Cape Fear River Claude McInstosh; Bowfin; Cape Fear River
Keaton Smart Bullhead Yates Mill Pond Wake County Keaton Smart; Bullhead; Yates Mill Pond, Wake County
Keaton Smart Rainbow Trout Grandfather Trout Farm Keaton Smart; Rainbow Trout; Grandfather Trout Farm
Robbie Summers Brown Trout Little River Robbie Summers; Brown Trout; Little River
Brian Harvey Largemouth Bass Jordan Lake Brian Harvey; Largemouth Bass; Jordan Lake
Brayden Duckett Largemouth Bass Private pond in Alexander County Brayden Duckett; Largemouth Bass; Private pond in Alexander County
Keaton Smart Bullhead Lake Johnson Wake County Keaton Smart; Bullhead; Lake Johnson, Wake County
Keaton Smart Crappie Jordan Lake Keaton Smart; Crappie; Jordan Lake
Jennifer Cox Largemouth Bass Private pond in Wayne County Jennifer Cox; Largemouth Bass; Private pond in Wayne County
Merrill Lynch Brown Trout Three Top Creek Merrill Lynch; Brown Trout; Three Top Creek
Keaton Smart Crappie Lake Johnson in Wake County Keaton Smart; Crappie; Lake Johnson in Wake County
Keaton Smart Rainbow Trout Grandfather Trout Farm Keaton Smart; Rainbow Trout; Grandfather Trout Farm
Robert Martin Largemouth Bass Private pond in Guilford County Robert Martin; Largemouth Bass; Private pond in Guilford County
Keaton Smart Rainbow Trout Harris Lake Park Pond in Wake County Keaton Smart; Rainbow Trout; Harris Lake Park Pond in Wake County
Billy Hash Brown Trout Horse Creek Billy Hash; Brown Trout; Horse Creek
William Clinton Shepherd Crappie Badin Lake Montgomery County William Clinton Shepherd; Crappie; Badin Lake, Montgomery County
James Thomas Ashbacher Blue Catfish Hope Mills Lake Cumberland County James Thomas Ashbacher; Blue Catfish; Hope Mills Lake, Cumberland County
Matthew Clark Daniels Rainbow Trout Helton Creek Ashe County Matthew Clark Daniels; Rainbow Trout; Helton Creek, Ashe County
Henry Simmons Striped Bass Albemarle Sound Henry Simmons; Striped Bass; Albemarle Sound
Eric Ciampanella Rainbow Trout Wilson Creek Eric Ciampanella; Rainbow Trout; Wilson Creek
Troy Sieck Brown Trout Green River Troy Sieck; Brown Trout; Green River
Troy Sieck Rainbow Trout Raven Fork Troy Sieck; Rainbow Trout; Raven Fork
David Knapp Rainbow Trout Lake Logan David Knapp; Rainbow Trout; Lake Logan
Alan Malgadey Sr Red Drum Neuse River Alan Malgadey, Sr.; Red Drum; Neuse River
Jimmy Hicks Bodie Bass Lake Thom-A-Lex Jimmy Hicks; Bodie Bass; Lake Thom-A-Lex
David Knapp Brook Trout Lake Logan David Knapp; Brook Trout; Lake Logan
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Get Recognized!
 

If a fish meets or exceeds either weight or length requirements (see table below):

  • Fill out this online form to receive a FREE downloadable certificate featuring artwork of the species by renowned wildlife artist Duane Raver. 
     
  • Anglers 15 and younger do not need to meet the minimum weight and length requirements in order to receive a certificate.
     
  • Catch-and-release or catch-and-keep! Either way, snap a photo of your catch (including a fishy selfie – we want to see the angler, too!) to share. Submit your photo using the online form so we can post it on this page.
     
  • Collect six unique Angler Recognition Program certificates to receive a special edition Master Angler certificate and patch, mailed to you (limited to one certificate and patch per angler).
     
  • More information or questions about the Angler Recognition Program? Email ncarp@ncwildlife.org.

 

Minimum Angler Recognition Program Fish Weight or Length Requirements

 

Species Min. Weight Min. Length
Largemouth Bass 8 lbs 24 in
Smallmouth Bass 3 lbs 19 in
Spotted Bass 2 lbs 15 in
Striped Bass 10 lbs 27 in
Bodie Bass (hybrid striped bass) 8 lbs 24 in
White Bass 2 lbs 17 in
White Perch  1 lb 12 in
Bowfin 10 lbs 22 in
Common Carp 20 lbs 34 in
Blue Catfish 30 lbs 41 in
Channel Catfish 10 lbs 30 in
Flathead Catfish 30 lbs 41 in
White Catfish 4 lbs 21 in
Bullhead Catfish (any species) 2 lbs 15 in
Crappie (black or white)  2 lbs 16 in
Freshwater Drum 12 lbs 28 in
Muskellunge 20 lbs 41 in
Chain pickerel 4 lbs 26 in
Redfin pickerel 10 oz 12 in
American Shad 3 lbs 16 in
Hickory Shad 2 lbs 13 in
Bluegill 1 lb 11 in
Flier 6 oz 8 in
Green Sunfish 1 lb 9 in
Pumpkinseed 14 oz 10 in
Redbreast 1 lb 11 in
Redear (shellcracker) 1 lb 11 in
Roanoke Bass 1 lb 11 in
Rock Bass 1 lb 11 in
Warmouth 1 lb 11 in
Brook Trout (hatchery supported or wild) 2 lbs 16 in
Brown Trout (hatchery supported or wild) 2 lbs; 8 oz 18 in
Rainbow Trout (hatchery supported or wild) 2 lbs; 8 oz 18 in
Kokanee Salmon 2 lbs 14 in
Walleye 5 lbs 23 in
Yellow Perch 1 lb 14 in
Longnose Gar 10 lbs 48 in