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Coastal Rivers Fisheries Reports

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 9, 2021 

Sample Date Area Sampled Water Temp (F) Boat Ramp
4/08/21 Near Hwy 48 Bridge 58 Gaston BAA
       


Sampling Information for the Roanoke River:

Water temperature increased to the upper 50s this week, and flow during sampling was around 17,500 CFS. Water clarity improved slightly this week as flows from Roanoke Rapids dam decreased. Very few Hickory Shad remained in the river this week indicating their spawning run is likely coming to an end. 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 on the Striped Bass spawning migration next week.

 

Species Striped Bass American Shad Hickory Shad
Number Collected 43 22 2
Min. Size (in) 15 16 14
Max. Size (in) 29 20 16
Max. Weight (lb) 12 3 1
Sex Ratio (M:F) 21 M; 22 F 14 M; 8 F 1 M; 1 F


Larger Picture

NCWRC conservation technician, Heather Colter, with a Striped Bass collected from the Roanoke River near Gaston, NC.​


Creel Survey Information for the Roanoke River:

April 3 – April 9

Upper Region (Roanoke Rapids Dam to Scotland Neck)

Anglers at Weldon and Scotland Neck reported excellent catches of Hickory Shad over the weekend and throughout this week despite the high flows resulting from recent rainfall. There were not many anglers trying for Striped Bass this week, and only two stripers were reported being caught and released from the Scotland Neck area. Anglers are reminded the Striped Bass harvest season will be open April 24–30 in the upper river zone (upstream of the U.S. 258 Highway bridge at Scotland Neck to the base of Roanoke Rapids Dam). The minimum length limit is 18 inches, and no Striped Bass between 22 and 27 inches (the protective slot) may be possessed at any time. The daily creel limit is two fish, only one of which may be larger than 27 inches. Additionally, 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.

Lower Region (Scotland Neck to Plymouth)

Fishing effort was moderate in the lower river this week. A handful of Striped Bass were caught and released in Hamilton over the weekend, and decent catches of Hickory Shad were reported from Jamesville on Wednesday. Anglers are reminded that the harvest season for Striped Bass will be open April 10–16 in the lower river zone (downstream of the U.S. 258 Highway bridge at Scotland Neck to the mouth at Albemarle Sound. The minimum length limit is 18 inches, and no Striped Bass between 22 and 27 inches (the protective slot) may be possessed at any time. The daily creel limit is two fish, only one of which may be larger than 27 inches.

Striped Bass Regulations

Shad Regulations

 

Tar River - April 9, 2021

Sample Date Area Sampled Water Temp (F) Boat Ramp
4/7/21 Battle Park to Rte 64  63 Battle Park 
4/8/21 Swift Creek to Fishing Creek 64 Bell's Bridge

 

Sampling Information for the Tar River:

American Shad were sampled at very high numbers in the vicinity of Battle Park with relatively few fish sampled between Swift Creek and Fishing Creek.  American Shad numbers should remain at high levels over the next several weeks. Only two Hickory Shad were observed near the Battle Park area, while none were sampled downstream below Swift Creek. The majority of Hickory Shad have completed their spawning migration and are headed downstream. Moderate numbers of Striped Bass, including a large, 38-lb female, were observed in both reaches of the river sampled.  Striped Bass should be increasing in numbers over the next several weeks.  All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition. The river was relatively clear at moderate levels and decreasing. One boat was observed fishing in the vicinity of Swift Creek, while three boats were observed in the vicinity of Battle Park.  Several bank anglers were also observed fishing at Battle Park.

Species Striped Bass American Shad Hickory Shad
Number Collected 5 161 2
Min. Size (in) 18 15 13
Max. Size (in) 44 22 16
Max. Weight (lb) 38 4 1
Sex Ratio (M:F) 4 0.7 1.0


Larger Picture

WRC fisheries biologist, David Belkoski, with an approximately 5-pound male Striped Bass collected near Fishing Creek.​

 

DMF Creel Survey Information for the Tar/Pamlico River:

Upper Region (Rocky Mount to Greenville)

March 29 to April 4. Fishing was slow this week and higher water levels hurt the bite last week. Patient anglers around Rocky Mount were able to hook-up with some quality American Shad. Striped bass are beginning to show up near the mill dam in Rocky Mount.

Lower Region (Greenville to Washington) 

March 29 to April 4. Strong winds and varying temperatures created unfavorable fishing conditions last week. Anglers who did fish targeted American and hickory shad, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie. There were some reports of spotted seatrout caught towards the mouth of the river.

Striped Bass Regulations

Shad Regulations

 

Neuse River - April 9, 2021  

Sample Date Area Sampled Water Temp (F) Boat Ramp
4/5/21 Goldsboro 58 Cox's Ferry BAA
4/7/21 Raleigh-Milburnie 59 Anderson Pt

 


Larger Picture

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

 

Sampling Information for the Neuse River:

Water levels are on the way down, and with warm weather this week, water temperatures should increase. American Shad are starting to show up in good abundances in Goldsboro and are beginning to be seen in Raleigh as well. Striped Bass—mostly smaller males—have started their migration to the spawning grounds, but spawning runs for both species are still in the beginning stages. 

Species Striped Bass American Shad Hickory Shad
Number Collected 6 25 0
Min. Size (in) 16 16  
Max. Size (in) 18 22  
Max. Weight (lb) 4 4  
Sex Ratio (M:F) 5:1 1:2  

 

DMF Creel Survey Information for the Neuse River:

March 29 – April 4

Upper Region (Raleigh to Goldsboro)

The Neuse River was within its banks this week allowing easy access for boats and shore anglers. The shad catch was much smaller than previous weeks, but a few hickory shad were caught.  Many anglers were targeting sunfish and catfish and caught some sizable blue and channel cats. 

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

Overall angling activity was low this past week. Anglers were able to catch a few hickory shad, but anglers were targeting largemouth bass, sunfish, and catfish more than in previous weeks. The consensus among many anglers is that the hickory shad season is almost over.

Lower Region (Spring Garden to New Bern)

Anglers fishing for hickory shad had a slow time of it on the lower Neuse this past week. Catches of largemouth bass and black crappie remained consistent, and one angler caught and released a striped bass.

 

 

Cape Fear River - April 9, 2021

Sample Date Area Sampled Water Temp (oF) Boat Ramp
4/5/21 Lock and Dam 3 59 William O. Huske BAA
4/6/21 Lock and Dam 2 59 Lock and Dam 2
4/6/21 Lock and Dam 1 60 Lock and Dam 3

 


Larger Picture

WRC fisheries biologist April Boggs with an American Shad collected at Lock and Dam 3.

 

Sampling Information for the Cape Fear River:

American Shad were abundant at Lock & Dam 1 and Lock & Dam 3, but mostly absent at Lock & Dam 2. Striped Bass were staging downstream of Lock & Dam 1 and should be moving upstream as the water warms this week. About 5 boat anglers were catching shad at Lock & Dam 1, while 2 boat anglers at Lock & Dam 3 appeared to be targeting catfish. Several bank anglers were fishing for shad and sunfish at Lock & Dam 2. Streamflow was declining this week, with 6000 cfs at Lock & Dam 1 during sampling.

Species Striped Bass American Shad Hickory Shad
Number Collected 30  42  0
Min. Size (in)  10  16    
Max. Size (in) 24 21      
Max. Weight (lb) 5.6 3.5     
Sex Ratio (M:F) 1.3:1    1.4:1  

 

DMF Creel Survey Information for the Cape Fear River:

March 29 ­– April 4. Fishing was slow on the Cape Fear River and few anglers got their hands on fish last week. High waters closed Lock and Dam 3, while Lock and dam 1 and 2 remained open despite debris on the ramps. Anglers who did go fishing targeted largemouth bass, catfish, and shad. The shad bite was extremely slow because of the high water and bank anglers had difficulty accessing the river from shore. 

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