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Pungo River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

North Carolina, United States

4.3·256 catches

Top fish species at Pungo River

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Check which species have trophy potential in Pungo River

Pungo River fishing reports

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Spotted seatrout

24 in · 7 lb

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Summer flounder

length · weight

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Spotted seatrout

length · weight

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Striped mullet

length · weight

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Red drum

23 in · 10 lb

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Summer flounder

length · weight

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General info

Pungo River is a stream located in Hyde County, North Carolina, United States. It is also intersecting with Beaufort County, North Carolina. It is most popular for fishing Red drum, Spotted seatrout, and Pinfish.

Location

35°30′30.8″N 76°30′18.3″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Pungo 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 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
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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Reviews of Pungo River

4.3
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4 ratings

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Top reviews

Cities nearby

Belhaven

7.0 miles away

Pantego

10.2 miles away

Swan Quarter

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Fairfield

15.9 miles away

Bayview

16.8 miles away

Bath

17.5 miles away

Pinetown

20.9 miles away

Aurora

21.4 miles away

Mesic

22.5 miles away

Vandemere

23.9 miles away

Creswell

25.9 miles away

Roper

26.3 miles away

Plymouth

27.8 miles away

Engelhard

27.9 miles away

Jamesville

30.5 miles away

Washington

31.1 miles away

Grantsboro

31.6 miles away

Columbia

32.0 miles away

Oriental

34.1 miles away

Edenton

38.3 miles away

Bear Grass

39.3 miles away

Vanceboro

39.3 miles away

Grimesland

39.4 miles away

Windsor

41.4 miles away

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FAQ about Pungo River fishing

📍 Where is the Pungo River located?
the Pungo River is a stream located in Hyde County, North Carolina, United States. It is also intersecting with Beaufort County, North Carolina. Its coordinates are:
35°30′30.8″N 76°30′18.3″W
.
🎣 Where on the Pungo River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Pungo 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 Pungo River?
The most common species in the Pungo River are:
  • Red drum - 31 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Spotted seatrout - 28 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Pinfish - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Pungo River fishing reports?
The latest Pungo River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Pungo River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Pungo River, some of the species in season this November include: Striped bass, Spotted seatrout, Black sea bass, 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 the Pungo 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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