Effective March 26, 2020, the NCWRC is temporarily suspending the Coastal Rivers Fisheries Reports. Thank you for your understanding.
In eastern North Carolina, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission conducts springtime electrofishing sampling for striped bass, American shad and hickory shad. This sampling is conducted in the four major coastal rivers — the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear. We will share results of Commission fish-sampling work as well as Commission and Division of Marine Fisheries' creel surveys now through mid-May. Check back weekly.
Scroll down the page for all four rivers.
Roanoke River - March 20, 2020 (NOTE: Electrofishing will start week of March 23, 2020)
| Sample Date |
Area Sampled |
Water Temp (F) |
Boat Ramp |
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Sampling Information for the Roanoke River:
No report this week; fisheries biologists will begin electrofishing week of March 23, 2020.
Anecdotal reports indicate Hickory Shad are being caught in good numbers.
| Species |
Striped Bass |
American Shad |
| Number Collected |
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| Min. Size (in) |
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| Max. Size (in) |
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| Max. Weight (lb) |
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| Sex Ratio (M:F) |
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Creel Survey Information for the Roanoke River:
Upper River (Roanoke Rapids Dam to Scotland Neck)
WRC creel clerks, Terry Boyce and William Robert Jones, have documented excellent Hickory Shad catches at Weldon, and they are getting fair reports from Hickory Shad fishermen at the Edwards Ferry Ramp.
Lower Region (Scotland Neck to Plymouth)
Striped Bass catches have been hit or miss in the lower Roanoke. The creel clerks saw decent striper catches at Jamesville and Williamston, while the Plymouth area has been slow.
Striped Bass Regulations
Shad Regulations
Tar River - March 20, 2020 (NOTE: Electrofishing will start week of March 23, 2020)
| Sample Date |
Area Sampled |
Water Temp (F) |
Boat Ramp |
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DMF Sampling Information for the Tar River:
No report this week; fisheries biologists will begin electrofishing week of March 23, 2020.
Anecdotal reports indicate Hickory Shad and American Shad are being caught in good numbers.
| Species |
Striped Bass |
American Shad |
| Number Collected |
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| Min. Size (in) |
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| Max. Size (in) |
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| Max. Weight (lb) |
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| Sex Ratio (M:F) |
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DMF Creel Survey Information for the Tar/Pamlico River:
Upper Region (Rocky Mount to Greenville)
Anglers reported good catches of Hickory Shad and some American Shad primarily from Port Terminal in Greenville to Old Sparta.Some shad are being caught as far north as Battle Park, but the bite is slow in these areas.Anglers also landed White Perch, Black Crappie, and a few Striped Bass.
Central Region (Greenville to Washington, Blounts Creek)
Anglers are still reporting a strong speckled trout bite in Blounts Creek and Durham Creek along with catches of undersized red drum. Goose Creek was a popular spot for Largemouth Bass and a few anglers reported catches of striped bass in Chocowinity Bay and between the bridges in Washington.
Fishing Activity:
Anglers are still reporting a strong Speckled Trout bite in Blounts Creek and
Durham Creek, along with catches of undersized Red Drum. Goose Creek was a
popular spot for Largemouth Bass and a few anglers reported catches of Striped
Bass in Chocowinity Bay and between the bridges in Washington.
Lower Region (Washington, Blounts Creek to Belhaven)
Mirror lures and soft plastics with paddle tails are the bait of choice for anglers fishing throughout the Pungo and adjacent creeks. Anglers reported catches of keeper Speckled Trout, undersized Red Drum, Southern Flounder, and Striped Bass in Pungo, Broad, Pantego, Lower Dowry, and Satterthwaite creeks.
Striped Bass Regulations
Shad Regulations
Neuse River - March 20, 2020 (NOTE: Electrofishing will start week of March 23, 2020)
| Sample Date |
Area Sampled |
Water Temp (F) |
Boat Ramp |
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Sampling Information for the Neuse River:
No report this week; fisheries biologists will begin electrofishing week of March 23, 2020.
Anecdotal reports indicate Hickory Shad and American Shad are being caught in good numbers.
| Species |
Striped Bass |
American Shad |
| Number Collected |
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| Min. Size (in) |
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| Max. Size (in) |
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| Max. Weight (lb) |
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| Sex Ratio (M:F) |
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DMF Creel Survey Information for the Neuse River:
Upper Region (Goldsboro to Raleigh)
Multiple anglers took part in this weekend’s Shad Fishing Tournament out of Goldsboro, NC. Anglers reported catches of both American and Hickory Shad throughout the upper Neuse and adjacent creeks. Hot spots included Mill Creek and Cox’s Ferry downstream to the mouth of Falling Creek. Catches of catfish were also reported.
Central Region (Core Creek to Seven Springs, Goldsboro Area)
The number of shad caught this week dropped slightly from the previous week. Anglers who took longer trips proved to have the best catches. Contentnea Creek was the most productive area and anglers also reported catches of Striped Bass, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass.
Lower Region (Spring Garden to New Bern)
Good weather throughout the week lead to decent catches of Hickory Shad around Cowpen Landing. A few American Shad and Striped Bass catches were also reported. Anglers fishing out of Lawson Creek were not disappointed and reported catches of Spotted Seatrout.
Striped Bass Regulations
Shad Regulations
Cape Fear River - March 20, 2020
| Sample Date |
Area Sampled |
Water Temp (oF) |
Boat Ramp |
| 3/17/2020 |
Lock & Dam 2 |
61 |
Lock & Dam 2 |
| 3/18/2020 |
Lock & Dam 1 |
61 |
Lock & Dam 1 |
| 3/18/2020 |
Lock & Dam 3 |
61 |
Lock & Dam 3 |
Sampling Information for the Cape Fear River:
American Shad were abundant at Lock & Dams 1 and 2. Streamflow 3,600 cfs at Lock and Dam 1, which is below normal. Approximately 30 anglers were taking advantage of the warm weather, flow conditions, and abundant American Shad at Lock & Dam 1; approximately a dozen anglers were also observed at both Lock & Dam 2 and Lock & Dam 3.
| Species |
Striped Bass |
American Shad |
Hickory Shad |
| Number Collected |
7 |
27 |
1 |
| Min. Size (in) |
8 |
15 |
13 |
| Max. Size (in) |
20 |
19 |
13 |
| Max. Weight (lb) |
3.1 |
3.3 |
0.6 |
| Sex Ratio (M:F) |
0:3 |
5.4:1 |
1.0 |
DMF Survey Information for the Cape Fear River:
Anglers fishing at Lock and Dam 1 reported very successful catches of American Shad throughout the week and weekend. Several fish weighed in at 3 or more pounds qualifying as citation fish with the N.C. Angler Recognition Program.Anglers also reported catches of Black Crappie in the same areas as shad and several Channel and Blue catfish were caught at Lock and Dam 1.
Striped Bass Regulations
Shad Regulations