Effective at 12:01 a.m., on March 29, 2019, the striped bass season is closed in all waters of the Central Southern Management Area. Read more.
Sample Date
Area Sampled
Water Temp (oF)
Boat Ramp Used
5/8/2019
Fishing Creek to Tarboro Town Ramp
78
Tarboro Town Ramp
Species
Striped Bass
American Shad
Hickory Shad
Number Collected
15
5
0
Min. Size (in)
17
16
Max. Size (in)
22
20
Max. Weight (lb)
3
2
Sex Ratio (M:F)
4.0:1
1.5:1
Fisheries Biologists conducting sampling:
Kirk Rundle and Clinton Morgeson
Biologists’ Observations:
American Shad were observed in low to moderate numbers from Fishing Creek to the Tarboro town boat ramp. Striped Bass were sampled in low numbers above and below Fishing Creek and in the Shiloh area. All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition. The low catches and warm water temperature this week suggest the Tar River American Shad and Striped Bass spawning runs are nearing completion.
River level and other water quality observations:
The river was relatively clear, at low levels and decreasing.
Weather conditions on sampling date:
Sunny and warm.
Observations of people fishing on the river:
A few bank anglers were observed in the segment sampled, while one angling boat was observed.
Week of April 29–May 5
Upper Region (Rocky Mount to Greenville)
The shad and striped bass bite remained slow while water levels returned back to normal. Ramps that were previously closed or restricted are now open. Anglers reported catches of catfish and multiple species of sunfish.
Lower Region (Greenville to Washington)
Over the past week, anglers reported numerous catches of black crappie and sunfish throughout the central region of the Tar-Pamlico River, especially in creeks and canals. Southern flounder were reported in Bath Creek and Abel Bay, while spotted seatrout were prevalent in North Creek and Wright’s Creek.
Shad and Striped Bass Regulations for the Tar River
As of March 29, 2019, Striped Bass harvest season is CLOSED in all waters of the Tar-Pamlico River and its tributaries downstream of Rocky Mount Mill Dam. MORE INFORMATION.
The daily creel limit for shad is 10 Hickory Shad and American Shad, in combination, per angler.
Ami Staples of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) shared some creel survey information collected from different stretches along the Tar River. The creel surveys are conducted during March, April, and May in the upper portions of the Tar, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. The surveys are administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries through Coastal Recreational Fishing License funding, and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission assists with survey design and data interpretation in the upper portions of each river.
Fisheries biologist Clint Morgeson with an approximate 7-pound male Striped Bass sampled just downstream of Fishing Creek.
4/30/2019
70
48
29
10
2.7
American Shad were observed in low to moderate numbers from Fishing Creek to the Tarboro town boat ramp. Striped Bass were sampled in good numbers in Fishing Creek and just downstream from Fishing Creek and in moderate numbers from the Daniel Street Bridge to the Tarboro town boat ramp. All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition.
The river was turbid, at moderate levels and decreasing sharply.
Numerous bank anglers were observed in the segment sampled, while approximately 5 angling boats were observed.
Week of April 22-28
Water levels returned back to normal this past week and anglers reported catches of shad, striped bass, and catfish throughout the upper Tar. Striped bass ranged in size between 18-22 inches.
Lower water salinities throughout the river system are allowing an abundant catch of largemouth bass, black crappie, catfish, and multiple sunfish species. Anglers fishing in Blount’s Creek and Goose Creek had the most success this past week.
As of March 29, 2019, Striped Bass harvest season is CLOSED in all waters of the Tar-Pamlico River and its tributaries downstream of Rocky Mount Mill Dam. MORE INFORMATION
Dr. Drew Cathey of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) shared creel survey information collected from different stretches along the Tar River. The creel surveys are conducted during March, April, and May in the upper portions of the Tar, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. The surveys are administered by DMF through Coastal Recreational Fishing License funding, and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission assists with survey design and data interpretation in the upper portions of each river.
Cara Kowalchyk (NCSU fisheries graduate student) with an approximate 7-pound male Striped Bass sampled just downstream of Fishing Creek.
4/23/2019
Rocky Mt Mills Dam to Hwy 64
68
Battle Park
Swift Creek to Fishing Creek
WRC Bell’s Bridge
4/24/2019
Dunbar
WRC Dunbar
35
52
33
21
2.5
2.2
American Shad were plentiful in the Battle Park area. Striped Bass were sampled in moderate numbers just downstream from the Dunbar boat ramp and in the vicinity of Swift Creek and Fishing Creek. No Hickory Shad were observed. All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition.
The river was turbid (muddy), at moderate levels and decreasing.
Numerous bank anglers were observed in the Battle Park area, while no boat anglers were observed.
Week of April 15-21
Anglers had limited access to the upper Tar because of high water levels. Anglers targeting shad reported inconsistent catches, many saying the bite had slowed over the past few weeks. No reports of striped bass.
Striped bass catches occurred near Washington, and fish ranged in size between 20-25 inches. There were reports of catfish but no reports of shad. Many anglers noted that the river had a lot of debris in it from the heavy rains, creating hazardous conditions in the river.
Kirk Rundle, District 3 Fisheries Biologist, with an approximately 15-pound female Striped Bass sampled just upstream of Fishing Creek.
No sampling was done this week due to high water and dangerous conditions. See Creel Survey tab for this week's Creel Survey Report.
There was no sampling conducted this week due to high water and dangerous conditions. See Creel Survey tab for this week's creel survey report.
The shad bite slowed significantly in the upper Tar and only a handful of anglers reported American Shad catches near the HWY 97 Canoe Ramp. There were no reports of striped bass catches.
Anglers had great success catching largemouth bass in the central region of the Tar River and small amounts of white perch were reported in Blount’s Creek. There were no reports of shad and only a few striped bass were caught.
High water prevented sampling on the Tar River this week.
4/11/2019
65
37
4.3
American Shad numbers are still high, yet high, muddy water made sampling difficult. Most of the American Shad were sampled in the section from Rocky Mount Mills Dam to Highway 64. No Hickory Shad were observed, and only one small Striped Bass was observed just upstream of Highway 64. All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition.
The river was very muddy, at high levels and increasing at Tarboro, yet dropping at Rocky Mount. Be sure to check current conditions by using the links provided on the Fisheries Report page.
No anglers were observed.
Week of April 1–7
Anglers targeting shad and striped bass had success in the upper region of the Tar River. The majority of shad caught were hickory shad, and there were several reports of striped bass caught and released.
Blount’s Creek was a hot spot for striped bass catches, and anglers caught largemouth bass around Bear Creek. Rain showers throughout the week kept anglers off the water, but those who did make it out on the Tar River caught catfish on live bait. One angler reported a 27-pound flathead.
Clinton Morgeson, NCWRC Assistant District 2 Fisheries Biologist, with an American Shad sampled just below Rocky Mount Mills Dam.
4/4/2019
58
1
110
25
2.8
American Shad catches were similar to last week, and their numbers should remain strong over the next several weeks. Hickory Shad were not observed near the Battle Park area, yet moderate numbers should remain downstream below Swift Creek for another week or two. A few small Striped Bass were observed near Highway 64 and should be increasing in numbers over the next several weeks. One female Striped Bass was measured. All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition.
The river was much less turbid than typical. Flows were moderate and steady. Any precipitation over the next few days should increase flows and make launching a boat and navigating a bit easier.
Two boats were observed fishing in the vicinity of Battle Park, while several bank anglers were also observed fishing at Battle Park.
Week of March 25–31
Anglers mainly targeted shad with multiple catches of Hickory and American shad reported. There were no reports of striped bass catches. The water level returned back to normal, however anglers reported excessive amounts of debris in the river and the water remained muddy last week.
Breezy conditions kept anglers off the water for a good portion of the week. The striped bass catch was slow, but fish that were caught averaged around 20 inches. Anglers mainly fished the Tar River from Washington to Grimesland.
Kirk Rundle, District 3 Fisheries Biologist, with an approximately 5-pound female Striped Bass sampled downstream of Battle Park.
3/27/2019
55
Swift Creek to Bell’s Bridge
117
30
14
19
2.3
0.4
Hickory Shad were sampled in good numbers and should remain abundant as long as cooler water temperatures continue, yet normally begin decreasing overall by early April. The vast majority of Hickory Shad were sampled below Swift Creek. Approximately 25 percent of the American Shad were sampled from the Swift Creek reach, but most were collected near Battle Park. American Shad numbers should be increasing over the next several weeks. A few small Striped Bass were observed and should also be increasing in numbers over the next several weeks. All fish sampled were returned to the river in good condition.
The river was moderately turbid, at moderate levels and increasing slightly.
Sunny and cool.
One boat was observed fishing in the vicinity of Swift Creek. Several bank anglers were observed fishing at Battle Park.
Week of March 18–24
Anglers heavily targeted shad near Battle Park and Old Sparta with a fair amount of catches reported. Water levels were continuously fluctuating, but anglers took advantage of the warmer weather to fish from the banks. Some anglers targeted striped bass, but no catches were reported.
Between the bridges at the Washington waterfront was a popular spot for anglers to troll for striped bass, and multiple catches were reported. No anglers were targeting shad in the area, and the largemouth bass catch was slack this week.
As of March 29, 2019, Striped Bass harvest season is CLOSED in all waters of the Tar-Pamlico River and its tributaries downstream of Rocky Mount Mill Dam. MORE INFORMATION. The daily creel limit for shad is 10 Hickory Shad and American Shad, in combination, per angler.
District 2 Assistant Fisheries Biologist, Clint Morgeson, with an approximately 2-pound female Hickory Shad sampled near Swift Creek.
May 16, 2018 May 10, 2018 May 3, 2018 April 27, 2018 April 20, 2018 April 13, 2018 April 6, 2018 March 26, 2018 March 9, 2018
May 12, 2017 Report
May 5, 2017 Report
April 28, 2017 Report
April 21, 2017 Report
April 14, 2017 Report
April 7, 2017 Report
March 31, 2017 Report
March 24, 2017 Report
March 17, 2017 Report
March 9, 2017 Report