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. Be sure to also see Fishing Publications for more information. For further assistance or to receive a brochure with directions, contact (919) 707-0206. 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
Ashe
Ashe County Parks & Recreation
Tomahawk Lake Complex
Buncombe
Black Mountain Recreation and Parks
Frank Liske Park Office
Cabarrus
Cabarrus County Parks & Recreation
Lake Rim Park Office
Cumberland
Cumberland County Parks & Recreation
Lake Michie Recreation Area
Durham
City of Durham Parks and Recreation
Dallas Park
Gaston
Gaston County Parks & Recreation
Rankin Lake Park
Gastonia Parks and Recreation
Lake Devin
Granville
Oxford Parks and Recreation
Bur-Mil Park Office
Guilford
Greensboro Parks & Recreation
Guilford Mackintosh Park and Marina
Burlington Parks and Recreation
Higgins Lake Marina
High Point City Lake Office
High Point Parks & Recreation
Oak Hollow City Lake Office
Oka T. Hester Complex
San-Lee Park Office
Lee
Lee County Parks & Recreation
Neuseway Nature Park Complex
Lenior
Kinston/Lenoir County Parks & Recreation
Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center
McDowell
Latta Plantation Nature Preserve
Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation
McDowell Nature Preserve
Reedy Creek Nature Preserve
Matthews Community Center loans tackle for Squirrel Lake
Matthews Parks & Recreation
Anderson Community Park
Orange
Carrboro Recreation and Parks
Mayo Park
Person
Person County Parks and Recreation
River Park North Complex
Pitt
Greenville Recreation & Parks
Lake Lucas
Randolph
Asheboro Parks and Recreation
Hinson Lake
Richmond
Rockingham Parks and Recreation
Mayo River State Park
Rockingham
NC Dept of Natural & Cultural Res.
City Park
Rowan
Salisbury Parks and Recreation
Salisbury Community Park
Albemarle Park Office
Stanly
Albemarle Parks & Recreation
Elkin Municipal Park
Surry
Elkin Parks & Recreation
Tumbling Rock Reservoir
Mount Airy Parks and Recreation
Cane Creek Lake Marina
Union
Union County Parks & Recreation
Apex Park Office
Wake
Apex Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
Bass Lake
Holly Springs Parks and Recreation
Bond Lake Park Office
Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
Lake Crabtree County Park
Wake County Parks and Open Space
Harris Co. Park Office
Wake County Parks & Recreation
Lake Benson
Garner Parks and Recreation Department
Umstead State Park
Wheeler Lake Complex
Raleigh Parks & Recreation
Patience Park
Yancey
Yancey County Parks and Recreation
Adaptive Fishing Gear