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Coastal Rivers Fisheries Reports

April 2, 2021

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 - April 2, 2021 

Sample Date Area Sampled Water Temp (F) Boat Ramp
4/01/21 Near Hwy 48 Bridge 55 Gaston BAA
       


Sampling Information for the Roanoke River:

Water temperature remained relatively low this week, and flow during sampling was around 20,000 CFS, causing murky conditions. Still some Hickory Shad remained in the river this week; some had been spawning but there were still some gravid females that have yet to spawn. American Shad were seen in slightly higher numbers than last week and are expected to increase in abundance as water temperature increases. A few Striped Bass were collected as well. No anglers were seen fishing while we were sampling. Weekly Striped Bass surveys are expected to begin around the Weldon area on April 12, and we should have reports of Striped Bass spawning migration.

 

Species Striped Bass American Shad Hickory Shad
Number Collected 12 30 30
Min. Size (in) 11 15 12
Max. Size (in) 22 21 18
Max. Weight (lb) 4.4 4.0 1.8
Sex Ratio (M:F) 4M  5F  3 UNK 12M  18 F 13M  17F


Larger Picture

A female American Shad collected during the weekly electrofishing survey on the Roanoke River near Gaston, NC.


Creel Survey Information for the Roanoke River:

March 27–April 2

Upper Region (Roanoke Rapids Dam to Scotland Neck)

Despite the recent high flows, anglers reported excellent catches of Hickory Shad in the Weldon area over the weekend and throughout the week. There weren’t too many boat anglers trying their luck, but those that ventured out were able to find good numbers of Hickory Shad. Fishing was a little slower at Edwards Ferry, but anglers caught a few Hickory Shad there last weekend.

Lower Region (Scotland Neck to Plymouth)

A few Striped Bass were caught and released at Plymouth over the weekend, and some anglers were able to catch a few stripers at Williamston earlier in the week. Fishing effort picked up at Jamesville mid-week, and anglers reported decent catches of Striped Bass and Hickory Shad.

Striped Bass Regulations

Shad Regulations

 

Tar River - April 2, 2021

Sample Date Area Sampled Water Temp (F) Boat Ramp
3/30/21 Battle Park to Rte 64 &
Swift Creek to Bell's Bridge
60.8 Battle Park &
Bell's Bridge
       

 

Sampling Information for the Tar River:

American Shad were abundant in this week’s sample, while Hickory Shad appear to be on the decline. Most of the American Shad were collected near Battle Park. Only one Hickory Shad was observed near the Battle Park area, and only four were sampled downstream below Swift Creek. A few small Striped Bass were observed just upstream of Highway 64 and should be increasing in numbers over the next several weeks. All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition. The river was turbid and high during sampling, and recent precipitation on Wednesday and Thursday should cause river levels to remain high over the next few days. One boat was observed fishing in the vicinity of Swift Creek. One boat was observed launching at Battle Park, while several bank anglers were also observed fishing at Battle Park.

Species Striped Bass American Shad Hickory Shad
Number Collected 1 44 5
Min. Size (in)   15 14
Max. Size (in) 26 21 18
Max. Weight (lb) 7 3.5 2
Sex Ratio (M:F) 1 F 0.8 1.0


Larger Picture

Commission fisheries biologist, David Belkoski, with a female American Shad collected just downstream of Battle Park.

 

DMF Creel Survey Information for the Tar/Pamlico River:

For the week of March 22–28:

Upper Region (Rocky Mount to Greenville)

With the water high and rain on several days, anglers struggled to find the shad bite. Those who put in the time were rewarded with some successful catches of shad here and there, but numbers were low overall. Around Old Sparta, Falkland, and in Greenville, primarily hickory shad were caught with American shad being seen further upriver near Rocky Mount.

Lower Region (Greenville to Washington) 

Spring weather has finally arrived to the Lower Tar and Pamlico rivers, bringing with it warm temperatures and high winds this past week. Anglers targeted largemouth bass and striped bass in and around the Pamlico River.  Though rumors of good spotted seatrout and red drum bite started to spread, very few anglers reported landings of these species.

Striped Bass Regulations

Shad Regulations

 

Neuse River - April 2, 2021  

Sample Date Area Sampled Water Temp (F) Boat Ramp
3/30/21 Goldsboro 63 Cox's Ferry BAA
4/01/21 Contentnea 64 Black Swamp Rd/Stantonburg BAA

 


Larger Picture

NCWRC Fisheries Biologist TD VanMiddlesworth with an American Shad from the Neuse River.

 

Sampling Information for the Neuse River:

High, muddy water has fish activity backed off this week. Warming water temperatures should encourage both American Shad and Striped Bass to move up river in the coming weeks. 

Species Striped Bass American Shad Hickory Shad
Number Collected 4 20 1
Min. Size (in) 16 16 19
Max. Size (in) 18 22 19
Max. Weight (lb) 4 4 2
Sex Ratio (M:F) 4:0 1:2 0:1

 

DMF Creel Survey Information for the Neuse River:

March 22–28

Upper Region (Raleigh to Goldsboro)

The Upper Neuse was down significantly (to around ten feet) allowing boaters to access ramps much easier last week.  Many anglers were targeting shad from both the bank and boats, and good catches of hickory shad were reported with very few American shad.  The mouth of Falling Creek and Mills Creek produced a lot of fish including multiple species of catfish and sunfish.  A few striped bass were reported near Goldsboro.

Middle Region (Core Creek to Seven Springs, Goldsboro Area)

This week's trends were similar to last week's, with anglers reporting some catches of shad around Maple Cypress. Greater numbers of shad were caught on the Neuse River in Kinston. Anglers also caught striped bass, catfish, and black crappie.

Lower Region (Spring Garden to New Bern)

Shore anglers continued to have success fishing for hickory shad on the lower Neuse this past week. Anglers fishing in Pitch Kettle Creek brought a limit of hickory shad to shore, while largemouth bass anglers reported strong catches as did those fishing for sunfishes. 

Striped Bass Regulations

Shad Regulations

 

Cape Fear River - April 2, 2021

Sample Date Area Sampled Water Temp (oF) Boat Ramp
03/30/21 Lock and Dam 1 61 Lock and Dam 1
03/30/21 Lock and Dam 2 63 Lock and Dam 2
03/30/21 Lock and Dam 3 62 Lock and Dam 3

 


Larger Picture

WRC fisheries biologist Kyle Rachels with a Hickory Shad collected on the Cape Fear River.

 

Sampling Information for the Cape Fear River:

American Shad were taking advantage of high water and were moving upstream, being abundant at Lock & Dam 3. Shad were present but at lower abundance at Lock & Dams 1 and 2. Striped Bass were observed moving up towards Lock and Dam 1. A few boat and bank anglers were at each lock and dam but were not having much success due to the high water. Streamflow was on the rise and reaching flood conditions, with 16,500 cfs at Lock & Dam 3.

Species Striped Bass American Shad Hickory Shad
Number Collected 18  34    2 
Min. Size (in)  10  16 17   
Max. Size (in) 27 22    19   
Max. Weight (lb) 8.5 4.7    2.0
Sex Ratio (M:F) 0.75:1    1.6:1 1:1

 

DMF Creel Survey Information for the Cape Fear River:

With better weather and less rain this past week, anglers targeted multiple species in the Cape Fear River. Anglers targeted largemouth bass near Castle Hayne, while anglers fishing at Lock and Dam 1 reported good catches of American shad. American shad were also caught out of Lock and Dam 2, but in much lower numbers. Anglers caught a good number of catfish below Lock and Dam 2 using shad as bait. No reports of striped bass.

Striped Bass Regulations

Shad Regulations

 

 

Striped Bass Regulations

UPDATE FOR 2021: 

Roanoke River:  

Striped bass harvest season is open from April 10–16 in the lower river zone (downstream of the U.S. Highway 258 bridge at Scotland Neck to the mouth at Albemarle Sound), and April 24–30 in the upper river zone (upstream of the Highway U.S. 258 bridge at Scotland Neck to the base of Roanoke Rapids Dam)

The daily creel limit for Striped Bass is two fish per angler, and the minimum size limit is 18 inches. No Striped Bass between 22 inches and 27 inches in total length may be possessed at any time, and only one fish greater than 27 inches may be included in the daily creel limit of two fish. 

From April 1–June 30 in Inland Waters of Roanoke River upstream of U.S. Highway 258 bridge, only a single barbless hook or lure with a single barbless hook (or hook with barb bent down) may be used.

Tar River: Striped Bass season is closed in all water of the Tar Pamlico and its tributaries downstream of Rocky Mount Mill dam. 

Neuse River: Striped bass season is closed in all waters and tributaries downstream of Falls Lake Dam.

Cape Fear River: Striped bass season is closed in all waters and tributaries downstream of Buckhorn Dam.

Shad Regulations

Roanoke River: The daily creel limit per angler is 10 Hickory Shad and American Shad in combination, only one of which can be an American (white) Shad, in all waters and tributaries downstream of Roanoke Rapids dam. From April 1–June 30 in Inland Waters of Roanoke River upstream of U.S. Highway 258 bridge, only a single barbless hook or lure with a single barbless hook (or hook with barb bent down) may be used.

Tar River: The daily creel limit is 10 Hickory Shad and American Shad (white), in combination, per angler, in the Tar Pamlico and its tributaries downstream of Rocky Mount Mill dam. 

Neuse River: The daily creel limit per angler is 10 Hickory Shad and American Shad in combination, only one of which can be an American (white) Shad, in all waters and tributaries downstream of Falls Lake Dam

Cape Fear River: The daily creel limit is per angler is 10 Hickory Shad and American Shad in combination, only five of which may be an American (white) shad on the Cape Fear River and its tributaries.

Fisheries Reports from 2013-2020

NOTE: There were no reports during the 2020 season due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Roanoke River Fisheries Reports

Tar River Fisheries Reports

Neuse River Fisheries Reports

Cape Fear River Fisheries Reports