Fishing in North Carolina

Mountain waters that support trout and are open to public fishing are designated as "Public Mountain Trout Waters" by the Wildlife Resources Commission and are managed for public trout fishing. Maps of trout water and their classifications may be viewed at ncwildlife.org/trout.UNDESIGNATED TROUT WATERSNo closed season; No size limit; daily creel limit 7; no lures/ bait restrictionAll other Public Mountain Trout Waters are as follows:HATCHERY SUPPORTED TROUT WATERSSeason: Aug. 1, 2023 – Feb. 29, 2024; 7 a.m. April 6, 2024 – July 31, 2024No size limit; daily creel limit 7; no lures/ bait restrictionNo fishing allowed: March 1, 2024 – April 5, 2024Linville River and tributaries within Linville Gorge Wilderness AreaPower reservoirs and municipal water supply reservoirsNo closed season; No size limit; daily creel limit 7 No lures /bait restrictionDELAYED HARVEST TROUT WATERSOct. 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024No trout may be possessedNo fishing allowed from 1⁄2 hour after sunset on May 31, 2024, to 6 a.m. on June 1, 2024Artificial lures with a single hook. Natural bait may not be possessed.No size limit; daily creek limit 7Aug. 1, 2023 – Sept. 30, 2023June 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024(Note: youth under 18 years old only fishing from 6 a.m. until noon on June 1, 2024)No size limit; daily creel limit 7; no lures /bait restrictionWILD TROUT WATERSNo closed season; 7 inches minimum size; daily creel limit 4; Artificial lures with a single hook.WILD TROUT NATURAL BAIT WATERSNo closed season; 7 inches minimum size; daily creel limit 4; Artificial lures or natural bait with a single hook. No live fish allowed as bait.CATCH AND RELEASE / ARTIFICIAL FLIES AND LURES ONLY TROUT WATERSNo closed season; No trout may be possessed; Artificial flies and lures with a single hook. Natural bait may not be possessed.SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT WATERSCatawba River from Muddy Creek to Morganton water intake damNo closed season; 14 inches minimum size; daily creel limit 2; No lures /bait restrictionApalachia ReservoirNo size limit but only one trout may be greater than 14 inches; daily creel limit 3 including only one trout greater than 14 inches; No lures /bait restrictionFor more information please see https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing/regulations