Map

Little River Inlet

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

North Carolina, United States

4.7·464 catches

Top fish species at Little River Inlet

App Section

Check which species have trophy potential in Little River Inlet

Little River Inlet fishing reports

Loading...

Silver porgy

length · weight

Loading...

Banded Rudderfish

length · weight

Loading...

Black sea bass

length · weight

Loading...

Spotted seatrout

length · weight

Loading...

Atlantic sharpnose shark

length · weight

Loading...

Summer flounder

length · weight

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

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

General info

Little River Inlet is a stream located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. It is also intersecting with Horry County, South Carolina. It is most popular for fishing Red drum, Black sea bass, and Blacktip shark.

Location

33°51′20″N 78°32′35.5″W
Directions

Official website

www.deq.nc.gov

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Little River Inlet, 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
Black sea bass

Black sea bass

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Bag limit7

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 size13" (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.

Special gear

NC Snapper Grouper Gear

You must use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks while fishing for or possessing snapper grouper species while using natural baits. A non-offset hook has the point and barb in-line with the hook shank. Also, you must possess a descending device on board that is readily available for use while fishing for or possessing snapper grouper species. A descending device is defined as an instrument capable of releasing the fish at the depth from which the fish was caught, and to which is attached a minimum of a 16-ounce weight and a minimum of a 60-ft length of line.

Required licenses
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Additional information
Black sea bass total length excludes the caudal fin filament. For seasons, bag limits, size limits, or closures see the Current Fisheries Proclamations.
Edibility
Excellent according to Adam L.
Synonyms
Centropristis striata
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
License Icon
Local laws and licenses

North Carolina fishing license

Get license

Reviews of Little River Inlet

4.7
Loading...

26 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Carolina Shores

4.0 miles away

Ocean Isle Beach

6.7 miles away

North Myrtle Beach

9.8 miles away

Shallotte

12.5 miles away

Myrtle Beach

22.0 miles away

Oak Island

24.1 miles away

Loris

24.2 miles away

Bolivia

27.1 miles away

Red Hill

27.4 miles away

Tabor City

28.0 miles away

Conway

28.7 miles away

Socastee

29.1 miles away

Boiling Spring Lakes

29.8 miles away

Finklea

30.4 miles away

Southport

30.5 miles away

Bald Head Island

32.0 miles away

Hallsboro

32.1 miles away

Garden City

32.3 miles away

Bolton

33.0 miles away

Chadbourn

36.2 miles away

Delco

36.8 miles away

Sandy Creek

36.8 miles away

Sandyfield

38.4 miles away

Ketchuptown

39.2 miles away

Anything missing or inaccurate?

Suggest changes to improve what we show.

Suggest changes

FAQ about Little River Inlet fishing

📍 Where is the Little River Inlet located?
the Little River Inlet is a stream located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. It is also intersecting with Horry County, South Carolina. Its coordinates are:
33°51′20″N 78°32′35.5″W
.
🎣 Where on the Little River Inlet is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Little River Inlet 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 Little River Inlet?
The most common species in the Little River Inlet are:
📢 What are the latest Little River Inlet fishing reports?
The latest Little River Inlet fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Little River Inlet right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Little River Inlet, 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 the Little River Inlet?

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...