Top fish species at Colington Cut

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Colington Cut fishing reports

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Spotted seatrout

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Atlantic croaker

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Spotted seatrout

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Red drum

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Pinfish

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Blue crab

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General info

Colington Cut is a stream located in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. It is most popular for fishing Red drum, White perch, and Spotted seatrout.

Location

36°00′16.4″N 75°41′48.4″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Colington Cut, NC

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.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size18" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size27" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Required licenses
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Additional information
Harvest in federal waters prohibited. Unlawful to gig, spear, or gaff. Unlawful to posess redfish greater than 27 inches total length. Mandatory Harvest Reporting Requirement: All red drum that are kept must be reported to the Division of Marine Fisheries through an online form or iPhone App. Learn more.
Edibility
Very Good
Synonyms
Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass
Season open: year-round
White perch

White perch

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Restrictions & requirements

NC Snagging

It is unlawful to snag fish by pulling or jerking a device equipped with one or more hooks through the water for the purpose of impaling fish. Applies to game and nongame fish.

NC Unlawful Possession

It is unlawful to possess:more than the daily creel limit while fishing, boating or afield; at any place more than three days' creel limit; fish whose size, creel or season restrictions are not in compliance with the regulations on the waters being fished.

NC Altering Fish

It is unlawful, while fishing, to change the appearance of fish subject to size limits or daily creel limits or remove the head and/ or tail from fish that are regulated by a size limit so that they may not be measured and/ or identified.

NC Purchase and Sale of Gamefish

The purchase and sale of inland game fish are unlawful, except from and by licensed commercial trout ponds and fish propagators.

NC Trotlines Set-hooks and Jug-hooks

Trotlines, set-hooks and jug-hooks may be fished under any license that authorizes fishing privileges. It is unlawful to use live bait with trotlines, set-hooks or jug-hooks. Trotlines must be set parallel to the nearest shore in all public waters, where their use is authorized. Each trotline, set-hook and jug-hook shall have attached the user's name and address or the user's NCWRC customer number legibly inscribed. Each trotline shall be conspicuously marked at each end, and each set-hook shall be conspicuously marked at one end with a prominent flag or floating object. Metal cans and glass containers cannot be used as markers. The number of jug-hooks that may be fished is limited to 70 per boat. Trotlines, set-hooks and jug-hooks must be fished daily, and all fish must be removed daily. Exceptions:·      No trotlines, set-hooks or jug-hooks may be used in the impounded waters of Sandhills Game Land. ·      No trotlines, set-hooks or jug-hooks may be used in Public Mountain Trout Waters, except impounded waters of power reservoirs and municipal water supply reservoirs open to the public for fishing. ·      In Lake Waccamaw, it is unlawful to use trotlines, set-hooks or jug-hooks from May 1–Sept. 30. ·      No trotlines, jug hooks, and set hooks in the inland fishing waters of the Roanoke River from April 1 to June 30. 

NC Single Barbless Hook

In the inland waters of the Roanoke River upstream of the U.S. 258 bridge, only a single barbless circle hook when fishing with live or natural bait or other tackle with a single barbless hook may be used from April 1 to June 30. "Barbless" means that the hook either does not have a barb or that the barb is bent down. Tandem rigs are prohibited.

NC Game Fish Hook and Line only

Inland game fish may be taken only with a hook and line and landing nets may be used to land fishes caught on a hook and line. 

Additional information
All inland fishing waters except those listed below:No size limit, no daily creel limitAll public fishing waters in and west of Buncombe, Haywood, and Rutherford countiesNo live white perch may be possessed, transported or released.
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Morone americana
Season open: July 1 - February 5
Spotted seatrout

Spotted seatrout

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size14" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size20" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Required licenses
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Additional information
North Carolina's Spotted Seatrout fishery will reopen to recreational and commercial harvest in joint and coastal waters on July 1, 2025, following a cold stun closure. Upon reopening of the fishery, new management from Amendment 1 to the Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan will be implemented.A 14- to 20-inch slot limit with an allowance for one fish over 26 inchesA 3-fish individual bag limit For seasons, bag limits, size limits, or closures see Current Fisheries Proclamations. Mandatory Harvest Reporting Requirement: All seatrout that are kept must be reported to the Division of Marine Fisheries through an online form or iPhone App. Learn more.
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Cynoscion nebulosus, Speckled Trout
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Local laws and licenses

North Carolina fishing license

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Cities nearby

Kill Devil Hills

1.7 miles away

Manteo

7.4 miles away

Southern Shores

8.3 miles away

Manns Harbor

8.8 miles away

Wanchese

11.8 miles away

Grandy

18.8 miles away

Coinjock

27.9 miles away

Columbia

31.0 miles away

Rodanthe

31.3 miles away

Waves

32.7 miles away

Elizabeth City

36.1 miles away

Engelhard

38.4 miles away

Creswell

40.5 miles away

Fairfield

43.3 miles away

Moyock

44.2 miles away

Winfall

44.6 miles away

Hertford

44.7 miles away

South Mills

46.3 miles away

Avon

46.7 miles away

Edenton

50.6 miles away

Roper

52.2 miles away

Buxton

52.7 miles away

Virginia Beach

53.9 miles away

Hatteras

54.4 miles away

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FAQ about Colington Cut fishing

📍 Where is the Colington Cut located?
the Colington Cut is a stream located in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. Its coordinates are:
36°00′16.4″N 75°41′48.4″W
.
🎣 Where on the Colington Cut is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Colington Cut by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Colington Cut?
The most common species in the Colington Cut are:
📢 What are the latest Colington Cut fishing reports?
The latest Colington Cut fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Colington Cut right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Colington Cut, some of the species in season this November include: Striped bass, Spotted seatrout, Black sea bass, Cobia, and Red grouper. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Colington Cut?

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.

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