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Fishing in North Carolina

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Want trophy-size catches? These North Carolina spots deliver

About North Carolina fishing

North Carolina offers trout in mountain streams, bass and catfish in Piedmont lakes, and redfish, flounder, and seatrout along the Atlantic coast. Anglers enjoy a full range of freshwater and inshore experiences.

North Carolina fishing license

North Carolina requires a fishing license for anglers 16+. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination options, purchasable online or at vendors.

Get license

Top fish species caught in North Carolina

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Biggest catches in North Carolina

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

State records of caught fish in North Carolina

SpeciesWeightBlue catfish127.1 lbsChannel catfish27.4 lbsRainbow trout20.2 lbsLargemouth bass15.9 lbsSpotted bass6.3 lbsBluegill4.3 lbs

Latest North Carolina fishing reports

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Channel catfish

Squirrel Lake Park

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Channel catfish

Squirrel Lake Park

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Channel catfish

Squirrel Lake Park

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Largemouth bass

Lake Johnson

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Spotted bass

Lake Norman

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Ruddy bowfin

Boney Mill Pond

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Largemouth bass

Martin Luther King Jr Park

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Red drum

Traps Creek

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Red drum

Traps Creek

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Rainbow trout

Ararat River

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Fishing regulations in North Carolina

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in North Carolina can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Loading... as of Loading.... To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

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From the Fishbrain blog

Learn where to fish, when to fish, and top tips from our anglers to help you land that personal best

Fishing pre spawn bass

We highlight some of our best tips for finding pre-spawn bass as they move from deepwater to potential bedding areas and look at must have lures for pre-spawn and how Fishbrain can help you find that perfect spot.

Fishing pre spawn bass
Fall Fishing for Bull Reds

Every fall, anglers in the gulf and Atlantic become obsessed with pumpkins. Not because of the looming Halloween holiday, however, but the presence of bull redfish. Learn more about why these giant fish are one of the most sought after species in saltwater this time of year.

Fall Fishing for Bull Reds
Fishbrain's guide to sunfish

Our fisheries biologist, Ryan Hearn, goes through how to use key characteristics to properly ID different species of sunfish.

Fishbrain's guide to sunfish
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FAQ about North Carolina fishing

Fishing regulations in North Carolina, United States vary by location and species, covering size limits, bag limits, and open seasons. To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the for the latest rules on every fish and body of water.
Anglers in North Carolina, United States most often target Bluegill, Largemouth bass, and Blue catfish. For more detailed insights, the shows exactly which species are biting in each lake, river, and coastline.
Popular waters in North Carolina, United States include Lake Norman, New River, and Lake Wylie. With the , you can zoom in on any area to discover the best spots and see what other anglers are catching there.