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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

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

In North Carolina, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Residents 70 and older qualify for a discounted lifetime license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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

SpeciesWeightChannel catfish27.4 lbsRainbow trout20.2 lbsLargemouth bass15.9 lbsSpotted bass6.3 lbsBlack crappie4.9 lbsBluegill4.3 lbs

Latest North Carolina fishing reports

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Channel catfish

Lower Mckellars Pond

18 in · 2 lb

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Atlantic croaker

Dare County Coast

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Atlantic croaker

Sunset Beach

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Blue catfish

Lake Wylie

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Largemouth bass

Greenfield Lake

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Largemouth bass

Greenfield Lake

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Dare County Coast

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Atlantic croaker

Sunset Beach

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Flathead catfish

Lake Tillery

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Largemouth bass

Indian Camp Lake

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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 Largemouth bass as of August 15th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Largemouth bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

5

Min size

14"

Measurement

Total Length
Restrictions & requirements
Additional information
14-inch minimum, except 2 may be less than 14 inchesFor more information please see https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing/regulationsSize and daily creel limit exceptions to state waters regulations:Lake Santeetlah (Graham Co.)No minimum size limit, and only 5 large- mouth bass and smallmouth bass in combination may be greater than 14 inchesNo daily creel limit for large- mouth bass and smallmouth bass less than 14 inches, and only 5 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in combination may be greater than 14 inchesLake Cammack (Alamance Co.) and Lake Holt (Granville Co.)No minimum size limit, and only 2 may be greater than 14 inches10, including only 2 greater than 14 inchesNew River (Alleghany Co. portion downstream of Fields Dam in Grayson Co., VA)No minimum size, none between 14-22 inches may be possessed, and only 1 large- mouth bass, smallmouth bass, or spotted bass may be greater than 22 inches5 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass in combination, including only 1 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, or spotted bass greater than 22 inchesLake Chatuge (Clay Co.)12-inch minimum10 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Alabama bass, and spotted bass in combinationIn the following waters and their tributaries:Albemarle, Croatan, Currituck, and Roanoke SoundsAlligator River (including the Alligator/Pungo Canal (Intra- coastal Waterway) east of the U.S. 264/N.C. 45 bridge)Big Flatty Creek (Pasquotank Co.)Chowan River (including the Meherrin River)Little River (Pasquotank and Perquimans counties)North River (Camden and Currituck counties)Northwest River (Currituck Co.)Pasquotank RiverPerquimans RiverRoanoke River downstream of Roanoke Rapids DamScuppernong RiverYeopim RiverAll other associated tributaries and canals to the waters listed above14-inch minimum; limit 5New Lake (Hyde Co.)14-inch minimum; limit 5Pungo Lake (Hyde and Washington counties)14-inch minimum; limit 5Lake Raleigh (Wake Co.)14-inch minimum; limit 5Sutton Lake (New Hanover Co.)14-inch minimum; limit 5Lake Hampton (Yadkin Co.) and Shearon Harris Reservoir (Chatham and Wake counties)14-inch minimum, except 2 may be less than 14 inches and none between 16-20 inches may be possessed 5, including only 2 less than 14 inchesLake Phelps14-inch minimum and none between 16-20 inches may be possessed; limit 5Buckhorn Reservoir (Nash and Wilson counties) and Cane Creek Lake (Union Co.)16-inch minimum; limit 5Lake Mattamuskeet and associated canals (Hyde Co.)16-inch minimum, and only 1 may be greater than 20 inches; limit 5, including only 1 greater than 20 inchesLake Thom-A-Lex (Davidson Co.)18-inch minimum; limit 5Jean Guite Creek and assoicated canals within the Town of Southern Shores (Dare Co.) and Ponds associated with Martin Marietta Park (Craven Co.)No largemouth bass may be possessedFor more information please see https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing/regulations
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms

Micropterus nigricans

Regulations for

35°46′15.6″N 78°38′16.8″W
Regulations in the map

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FAQ about North Carolina fishing

📜 What are the fishing regulations in North Carolina, United States?
Fishing regulations in North Carolina, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.
🐟 What are the best fish species to catch in North Carolina, United States?
Some of the most popular species anglers target in North Carolina, United States include Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, and Bluegill. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.
🌊 Where are the top fishing spots in North Carolina, United States?
Some of the most popular fishing spots in North Carolina, United States include Lake Norman, New River, and Lake Wylie. Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.