Looking to try fishing for the first time? Still fine-tuning your angling skills? Or perhaps you forgot your gear at home? The Tackle Loaner Program is here for you! The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has teamed up with various cities, counties, state parks and other organizations so that North Carolinians (and visitors) are able to borrow rods, reels and other fishing gear free of charge. The Commission created the program back in the 90’s to introduce new anglers, especially children, to the wonderful pastime of fishing and encourage novice anglers to develop their skills. The program is funded by the federal Sport Fish Restoration program.
The Tackle Loaner Program operates just like a library system. Anglers of all ages register at any participating site, then receive a TLP ID card, which allows them to check out fishing gear. Participants can then use their ID card again and again to loan out gear at any of NC’s TLP sites. All gear must be returned to the site from which it was originally loaned out, however.
First-time TLP participants under 16 years of age will receive a free mini-tackle box loaded with basic fishing essentials.
Adaptive fishing gear can be loaned to anglers with disabilities at some TLP sites. This gear includes a Velcro reeling system and assistive arm or hand pole holders/grips for those with limited or no hand function. We also offer wheelchair pole holders. If you are visiting or plan to visit a TLP site that does not have this gear readily available, please contact tackleloaner@ncwildlife.org so that we may assist.
A list of Tackle Loaner Program sites is below, sorted by county A-Z. You can also use the N.C. Fishing Access Map to find your nearest TLP site. A tutorial on how to filter the map for TLP sites can be found here.
Many of the 50+ TLP sites are also Community Fishing Program sites, where the Commission regularly stocks catfish.
The NCWRC is always looking to bring the Tackle Loaner Programs to more communities, because we believe everyone should have access to fishing! If your city or county does not have a TLP site, but you’d like to see one, please let us know by reaching out to tackleloaner@ncwildlife.org. Agencies interested in becoming a TLP partner are encouraged to reach out as well.
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.
Haywood County Tourism Development Authority (serves Jonathan Creek in Maggie Valley and Richland Creek)
Haywood
Haywood County Tourism Development Authority
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
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