North Carolina offers some great fishing opportunities. If you are a resident or visitor to the state, please review the links below to ensure that you understand the rules, regulations and other guidelines.

The following fishing regulations are effective Aug. 1 each year to July 31 of the following year.

Inland Fishing Regulations
Regulatory authority between the Wildlife Resources Commission and Division of Marine Fisheries. Inland game fish regulations include Manner of Taking, Seasons and Using Trotlines and Set-hooks.

• Regulation for River Herring in Inland Fishing Waters of Coastal Rivers and Their Tributaries (PDF)
• Warmwater Game Fish
  Game fish size and creel limits. Also, Bass and Morone (striped bass) Identification Charts.
• Mountain Trout
  Mountain trout regulations include Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, Wild Trout Waters and Special Regulated Trout Waters such as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters. Also, Blue Ridge Parkway and State Park regulations
  • Trout Maps
  • Trout signs and regulations (PDF)
  • Public Mountain Trout Waters Search
• Fishing on NC Gamelands, NC State Parks, and on Blue Ridge Parkway
• Nongame Fish
  Nongame fish regulations including Sale of Nongame Fish, Manner of Taking and Seasons and Waters listed by County.

Saltwater Fishing Regulations