First-time and novice anglers in North Carolina are encouraged to borrow rods and reels free of charge to join in the fishing fun this year. The loaner rods and reels are provided by various city and county parks statewide and by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission through the Commission's Tackle Loaner Program (TLP). The Commission created the Tackle Loaner Program to introduce North Carolinians, especially children, to fishing and to encourage novice anglers to continue developing their angling skills. The Commission works cooperatively with the American Sportfishing Association to expand the tackle loaner program to parks that are already participating in the Commission's Community Fishing Program.
Here's how it works The Tackle Loaner Program operates just like a library. Anglers of all ages register at participating parks to receive a tackle loaner ID card, which allows them to check out a rod and reel. Anglers under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian complete the registration form. After returning the loaner rods and reels to the park office, first-time participants under 16 years of age will receive a free mini-tackle box containing hooks, bobbers, sinkers, and a stringer. Tackle loaner ID cards can be used at other participating sites in North Carolina, but rods and reels must be returned to the original loaner site.
A list of Tackle Loaner Program sites appears below. Directions to Community Fishing Program sites can also be also found on the N.C. Fishing Access Map.
Adaptive Fishing Gear Adaptive fishing gear can be loaned to disabled anglers at some TLP sites. The gear types are electric John’s Reels with either a push button or joystick-operating device. Typically, these special reels are placed on easy cast fishing rod devices that the photos illustrate below. Some sites also offer rod holders for those persons with shoulder problems and or an inability to hold something for an extended time. For individuals with grip problems action life gloves are available in various sizes. These gloves are available for either right or left hands.
Current NC Tackle Loaner Program Sites
Graham-Mebane Lake Office
Alamance
Graham Recreation and Parks
Ashe Park Pond Office
Ashe
Ashe County Parks & Recreation
Camp TN Spencer Park Office
Cabarrus
Cabarrus Co. Active Living & Parks
Lake Rim Park Office
Cumberland
Fayettevile-Cumberland Co. Parks & Recreation
Rankin Lake Park Office
Gaston
Gastonia Parks & Recreation
Lake Rogers Park Office
Granville
Creedmoor Parks & Recreation Dept.
Bur-Mil Park Office (serves Bur-Mil Park and Lake Brandt)
Guilford
High Point Parks & Recreation
Glenville Recreation Center (serves Jackson County Parks & Recreation Pond)
Jackson
Jackson County Parks & Recreation Dept.
San-Lee Park Office
Lee County Parks & Recreation
Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center (serves Mill Creek)
McDowell
Mountain Gateway Museum
Latta Plantation Nature Preserve Office
Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation
McDowell Nature Preserve Office
Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Office
Century Center (serves Anderson Community Park)
Orange
Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources
River Park North Complex
Pitt
Greenville Recreation & Parks
Mayo River State Park Office
Rockingham
NC Dept of Natural & Cultural Res.
City Park Office
Rowan
Salisbury Parks & Recreation
Salisbury Community Park Office
Morrow Mountain State Park Office
Stanly
Elkin Municipal Park Office (serves Big Elkin Creek)
Surry
Elkin Recreation & Parks Department
Tumbling Rock Reservoir at Westwood Park Office
Mount Airy Parks & Recreation
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
Transylvania
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Cane Creek Lake Marina
Union
Union County Parks & Recreation
Aycock Recreation Center (serves Fox Pond)
Vance
Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks
Apex Park Office (serves Apex Community Park)
Wake
Apex Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
Bass Lake Park Office
Holly Springs Parks & Recreation
Wheeler Lake Complex (serves Simpkins Pond & Lake Wheeler
Raleigh Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
Harris Lake County Park Office
Wake Co. Parks, Rec. & Open Space
Lake Crabtree County Office
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park Office
Wayne
Wilkes County Library (serves Reddies River, Cub Creek & Yadkin Greenway Pier)
Wilkes
Town of Wilkesboro/Wilkes County Partnership