Top fish species at Banks Channel

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Check which species have trophy potential in Banks Channel

Banks Channel fishing reports

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Oyster toadfish

length · weight

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Summer flounder

8 in · 2 oz

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Inshore lizardfish

length · weight

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Crevalle jack

length · weight

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Inshore lizardfish

11 in · 6 oz

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Pinfish

length · weight

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General info

Banks Channel is an inshore water located in Pender County, North Carolina, United States. It is most popular for fishing Summer flounder, Inshore lizardfish, and Pinfish.

Location

34°21′51″N 77°38′14.5″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Banks Channel, 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
Pinfish

Pinfish

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Additional information
No closed season. No bag limit. No size limit.
Edibility
Poor, but grouper love them.
Synonyms
Lagodon rhomboides, bait
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Local laws and licenses

North Carolina fishing license

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Cities nearby

Hampstead

5.4 miles away

Surf City

6.4 miles away

Holly Ridge

11.0 miles away

Murraysville

12.7 miles away

Rocky Point

15.5 miles away

Castle Hayne

15.6 miles away

Wilmington

17.8 miles away

Sneads Ferry

19.7 miles away

Burgaw

20.7 miles away

Myrtle Grove

21.8 miles away

Long Creek

22.2 miles away

Leland

24.9 miles away

Sea Breeze

25.2 miles away

Watha

26.9 miles away

Jacksonville

28.7 miles away

Kure Beach

29.5 miles away

Sandy Creek

30.0 miles away

Atkinson

32.4 miles away

Boiling Spring Lakes

33.6 miles away

Delco

33.8 miles away

Chinquapin

33.9 miles away

Teachey

35.1 miles away

Bolivia

35.5 miles away

Sandyfield

37.8 miles away

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FAQ about Banks Channel fishing

📍 Where is Banks Channel located?
Banks Channel is an inshore water located in Pender County, North Carolina, United States. Its coordinates are:
34°21′51″N 77°38′14.5″W
.
🎣 Where on Banks Channel is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Banks Channel 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 Banks Channel?
The most common species in Banks Channel are:
📢 What are the latest Banks Channel fishing reports?
The latest Banks Channel fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Banks Channel right now?
According to fishing regulations at Banks Channel, some of the species in season this November 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 Banks Channel?

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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