Map

Onslow Beach

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

North Carolina, United States

5.0·406 catches

Top fish species at Onslow Beach

App Section

Check which species have trophy potential in Onslow Beach

Onslow Beach fishing reports

Loading...

Bluefish

length · weight

Loading...

Bluefish

length · weight

Loading...

Bluefish

24 in · 5 lb

Loading...

Black drum

18 in · 6 lb

Loading...

Florida pompano

10 in · 1 lb

Loading...

Florida pompano

10 in · 1 lb 3 oz

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

General info

Onslow Beach is a part of an ocean located in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. It is most popular for fishing Red drum, Blacktip shark, and Bluefish.

Location

34°33′5.1″N 77°17′31.6″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Onslow Beach, 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
Blacktip shark

Blacktip shark

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 size54" (Fork Length)

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

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Aggregate limit1

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Vessel limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Additional information
1 shark per vessel per trip any authorized species For seasons, bag limits, size limits, or closures see Current Fisheries Proclamations. Sharks harvested but not retained must be released in a manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival. Do not remove the fish from the water. It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess any shark without head, tail, and fins intact with the carcass through the point of landing. Anglers may still gut and bleed the carcass as long as the tail is not removed. Filleting any shark is prohibited, until that shark is offloaded at the dock or on shore. It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to catch sharks by any gear other than rod and reel or handlines. Handlines are defined as a mainline with no more than two gangions or hooks attached that are retrieved by hand only.
Edibility
Catch, Clean, Cook Blacktip Shark
Synonyms
Carcharhinus limbatus
Season open: year-round
Bluefish

Bluefish

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Bag limit5

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.

Required licenses
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Additional information
No minimum size. Recreational anglers engaged on a for-hire vessel can possess up to 5 bluefish per person per day.For seasons, bag limits, size limits, or closures see Current Fisheries Proclamations.
Edibility
Good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Catch, Clean, Cook Bluefish by DMFD
Synonyms
Pomatomus saltatrix
License Icon
Local laws and licenses

North Carolina fishing license

Get license

Reviews of Onslow Beach

5.0
Loading...

3 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Sneads Ferry

5.1 miles away

Swansboro

13.3 miles away

Jacksonville

13.6 miles away

Piney Green

13.8 miles away

Holly Ridge

13.9 miles away

Emerald Isle

16.9 miles away

Surf City

17.5 miles away

Half Moon

21.4 miles away

Broad Creek

24.3 miles away

Maysville

24.8 miles away

Richlands

28.0 miles away

Hampstead

28.2 miles away

Pollocksville

31.6 miles away

Havelock

33.2 miles away

Rocky Point

34.9 miles away

Trenton

35.6 miles away

Chinquapin

35.7 miles away

Burgaw

35.9 miles away

Murraysville

36.1 miles away

Potters Hill

36.7 miles away

Castle Hayne

37.7 miles away

Watha

38.5 miles away

Greenevers

40.7 miles away

Long Creek

42.0 miles away

Anything missing or inaccurate?

Suggest changes to improve what we show.

Suggest changes

FAQ about Onslow Beach fishing

📍 Where is Onslow Beach located?
Onslow Beach is a part of an ocean located in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. Its coordinates are:
34°33′5.1″N 77°17′31.6″W
.
🎣 Where on Onslow Beach is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Onslow Beach 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 Onslow Beach?
The most common species in Onslow Beach are:
  • Red drum - 47 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Blacktip shark - 34 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Bluefish - 33 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Onslow Beach fishing reports?
The latest Onslow Beach fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Onslow Beach right now?
According to fishing regulations at Onslow Beach, some of the species in season this November include: Spotted seatrout, Summer flounder, Southern flounder, 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 Onslow Beach?

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
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...