Rainbow Trout

The rainbow trout is named for the broad, lateral stripe on its sides, which ranges from pink to red. Its back is olive-green, and its belly is whitish with heavy black speckling on all fins and the entire body. Rainbow trout are native to the Pacific drainages of western North America but have been introduced throughout mountain streams in North Carolina. As with other trout, rainbows inhabit streams, rivers, ponds and lakes with good water quality and temperatures that rarely exceed 70 F. They have a tendency to hang out in faster currents, such as riffles and swift runs, more so than brook or brown trout. Young rainbow trout feed on small aquatic and terrestrial insects. Adults eat a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, as well as crustaceans, fish and other small vertebrates.

North Carolina offers some great fishing opportunities. If you are a resident or visitor to the state, please review the links below to ensure that you understand the rules, regulations and other guidelines.

The following fishing regulations are effective August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2020.

Inland Fishing

Inland Fishing Regulations
Regulatory authority between the Wildlife Resources Commission and Division of Marine Fisheries. Inland game fish regulations include Manner of Taking, Seasons and Using Trotlines and Set-hooks.

Regulation for River Herring in Inland Fishing Waters of Coastal Rivers and Their Tributaries (PDF)
Warmwater Game Fish
Game fish size and creel limits. Also, Bass and Morone (striped bass) Identification Charts.
Mountain Trout
Mountain trout regulations include Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, Wild Trout Waters and Special Regulated Trout Waters such as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters. Also, Blue Ridge Parkway and State Park regulations
Fishing on NC Gamelands, NC State Parks, and on Blue Ridge Parkway
Nongame Fish
Nongame fish regulations including Sale of Nongame Fish, Manner of Taking and Seasons and Waters listed by County.
Size and creel limits for spotted sea trout, flounder, red drum, and gray trout taken in inland waters are the same as the recreational limits for those species in adjacent joint and coastal waters. (DMF website)

Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater Fishing Regulations - NCDMF website
Coastal Recreational Fish License (CRFL) General Information - NCDMF website
Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) Type Descriptions –NCDMF Website
Descriptive Boundaries for Coastal-Joint-Inland Waters –NCDMF Website

Fishing Techniques:

Fishing dry flies, streamers, and nymphs that imitate natural foods works well. This method is especially popular in North Carolina’s many streams that support wild trout. Fishing baits, such as worms and corn, are highly effective for catching hatchery-reared rainbow trout. Spin casting small spinners, spoons and crankbaits can be productive as well. Be sure to check the current trout fishing regulations on the type of lures allowed as well as the size limit and creel limit for a particular trout water before fishing.