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Elizabeth River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

North Carolina, United States

5.0·112 catches

Top fish species at Elizabeth River

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Elizabeth River fishing reports

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Summer flounder

24 in · 4 lb

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Summer flounder

length · weight

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Black sea bass

length · weight

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Black sea bass

length · weight

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Red drum

length · weight

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Pacific spiny dogfish

20 in · 2 lb

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General info

Elizabeth River is a stream located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. It is most popular for fishing Summer flounder, Red drum, and Spotted seatrout.

Location

33°54′20.5″N 78°01′36.9″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Elizabeth River, 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 closed: September 15 - August 31
Summer flounder

Summer flounder

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina Coastal, Joint, & Inland Fishing 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 size15" (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.

Restrictions & requirements

Hook & Line Only

Allowable gear: hook and line.

Required licenses
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Additional information
Regulatory NotesThe N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Marine Fisheries today announced that the 2026 recreational flounder season will open in Coastal and Joint waters of the state Sept. 1 at 12:01 a.m. and close Sept. 14 at 11:59 p.m. The two-week season will open with the following provisions for both the recreational hook-and-line and gig fisheries:A one-fish per person per day creel limit.A 15-inch total length minimum size limit (from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail).Harvest of flounder with a Recreational Commercial Gear License will be prohibited. Season: Opens Sept. 1 at 12:01 a.m. and closes Sept. 14 at 11:59 p.m.Bag Limit: One-fish per person per day.Minimum Size Limit: 15-inch total length (from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail).Mandatory Harvest Reporting Requirement: All flounder that are kept must be reported to the Division of Marine Fisheries through an online form or iPhone App. Learn more.Gears: Hook and line and gig fisheries only. Harvest of flounder with a Recreational Commercial Gear License prohibited. The season, size and bag limits comply with provisions of the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's flounder season will open Sept. 1-14 as well, so the season, size limit and daily bag limit will be consistent across jurisdictions. For more specifics on the recreational flounder season in Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters, see Proclamation FF-27-2026. The commercial flounder season for internal Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters (rivers, creeks and sounds) will be announced in the coming weeks through a separate news release and proclamation.
Edibility
Excellent
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: 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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Reviews of Elizabeth River

5.0
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FAQ about Elizabeth River fishing

📍 Where is the Elizabeth River located?
the Elizabeth River is a stream located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. Its coordinates are:
33°54′20.5″N 78°01′36.9″W
.
🎣 Where on the Elizabeth River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Elizabeth River 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 Elizabeth River?
The most common species in the Elizabeth River are:
📢 What are the latest Elizabeth River fishing reports?
The latest Elizabeth River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Elizabeth River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Elizabeth River, some of the species in season this October include: Striped bass, Spotted seatrout, Cobia, Red grouper, and Atlantic bluefin tuna. 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 Elizabeth River?

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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