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.
Despite the warm air temperatures this week, water temperatures on March 25th, were near 50°F. Flow during sampling was around 20,000 CFS, causing the water to be very murky. Striped Bass, Hickory Shad, and American Shad were seen in low numbers but are expected to increase in abundance as water temperature increases. Two boat anglers were seen fishing near the Hwy 48 bridge. Weekly Striped Bass surveys will begin around the Weldon area in a few weeks.
Larger Picture
A 26-inch female Striped Bass was captured while electrofishing near the Hwy 48 bridge in Gaston, NC
Upper Region (Roanoke Rapids Dam to Scotland Neck)
Catches of Hickory Shad have begun to pick up in the Weldon area over the weekend and throughout the week. Our creel clerks reported decent catches by boat and bank anglers. Increased flows this week have caused the fishing to be hit or miss; some anglers reported good catches while others weren’t as fortunate.
Lower Region (Scotland Neck to Plymouth)
Anglers reported good catches of Hickory Shad at Jamesville last weekend, but it has been quiet at the other ramps in the lower river. A few Striped Bass were caught and released at Jamesville last weekend as well. Catches of Striped Bass have been low but consistent in the Plymouth area the last couple weeks. Many anglers interviewed around Plymouth headed to Albemarle Sound to find fish.
Striped Bass Regulations
Shad Regulations
Good numbers of American Shad were observed between Battle Park and Highway 64, yet only two Hickory Shad were collected in the upper river. Moderate numbers of Hickory Shad were sampled downstream below Swift Creek, and they should remain there for another week or two. A few small Striped Bass were observed just upstream of Highway 64. All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition. The river was rather turbid and at moderate levels. Precipitation on Wednesday will likely cause river levels to increase over the next few days. One boat was observed fishing in the vicinity of Swift Creek and one boat was observed launching at Battle Park, while many bank anglers were also observed fishing at Battle Park.
David Belkoski, NCWRC Fisheries Biologist, with an approximately 1.5-pound female Hickory Shad collected just downstream of Swift Creek.
Upper Region (Rocky Mount to Greenville)
Anglers found Hickory Shad in decent numbers around Falkland and Old Sparta early last week. Rain later in the week brought the water level up and slowed the bite, but American Shad were consistently found around Battle Park and the Highway 97 pipe. Anglers who sought other species were able find sunfish, Black Crappie, and multiple catfish species close to the Mill Dam in Rocky Mount. Striped Bass are moving up the river but are not being caught in significant numbers.
Lower Region (Greenville to Washington)
In the lower Tar and Pamlico rivers, anglers had to contend with strong winds over the weekend with little to no fishing activity during the week. Those anglers who did brave the weather targeted Spotted Seatrout in the main river and had some success with catches of Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie in the adjoining creeks.
NCWRC Fisheries Biologist TD VanMiddlesworth with a Striped Bass from the Neuse River.
American Shad and a few Striped Bass are starting to show up on the spawning grounds of the upper Neuse River. The majority of Hickory Shad and American Shad were collected near Goldsboro this week. Water levels have been high but are expected to drop. Weather when sampling was breezy and overcast. No anglers were observed on the river in Raleigh, and two anglers were observed in Goldsboro.
Upper Region (Raleigh to Goldsboro)
Weather conditions were less favorable with colder temperatures and scattered rain. Water releases from Falls Lake Dam dropped significantly so the river height near Raleigh was lower than previous weeks allowing more anglers opportunity to fish. Anglers reported catches of Black Crappie and some of the first Hickory Shad of the year near Raleigh. Increased rainfall kept the river high near Goldsboro, but the 2021 Shad Fishing Tournament went on as planned with good catches of Hickory Shad and a few American Shad.
Middle Region (Core Creek to Seven Springs, Goldsboro Area)
The rain and wind slowed down the shad bite during the week, but the catch picked up over the weekend. The shad are making their way up the river, with anglers reporting catches in fewer numbers around the Maple Cypress area and greater numbers on the Neuse River in Kinston and Seven Springs. The catch has been mainly Hickory Shad, but a few American Shad have been reported in the Kinston area. No reports of Striped Bass.
Lower Region (Spring Garden to New Bern)
Even though windy conditions sometimes made it a challenge, anglers continued having moderate success fishing for Hickory Shad in the lower Neuse this past week. Boaters at Cowpen Landing reported catching Hickory Shad at Pitch Kettle, and shore anglers at Spring Garden caught Hickory Shad. Anglers in the Trent River reported catches of Hickory Shad and Striped Bass for catch-and-release. The Trent also yielded Black Crappie, White Perch, Largemouth Bass, sunfish, and Blue Catfish.
WRC fisheries biologist April Boggs with an American Shad collected at Lock & Dam 2.
American Shad were abundant at Lock & Dam 1 this week. Streamflow during sampling was slightly above normal with 8,500 cfs. About 6 boat anglers were observed catching American Shad along the east bank below the dam. Few shad or anglers were observed at Lock & Dams 2 and 3. Warming water temperatures should bring more shad upstream over the coming weeks.
There was not much fishing to report on the Cape Fear River last week because of high water levels and severe weather toward the end of the week. Water was high but accessible at Lock and Dam 3, while debris blocked the main fishing spot for boats at Lock and Dam 1. The debris from recent flooding combined with high winds, cold weather, and severe thunderstorms seemed to deter most anglers. Anglers who persisted reported catching one American Shad while shore anglers targeted Largemouth Bass and catfish.
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.
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.
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