Top fish species at Bulkhead Channel

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Check which species have trophy potential in Bulkhead Channel

Bulkhead Channel fishing reports

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Black sea bass

length · weight

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Northern puffer

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Sandbar shark

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Summer flounder

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Pinfish

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Spanish mackerel

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General info

Bulkhead Channel is a part of an ocean located in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. It is most popular for fishing Spotted seatrout, Black sea bass, and Bluefish.

Location

34°42′31.9″N 76°40′44.6″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Bulkhead 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 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
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
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
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Local laws and licenses

North Carolina fishing license

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Reviews of Bulkhead Channel

4.6
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5 ratings

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1
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Cities nearby

Morehead City

3.7 miles away

Harkers Island

6.7 miles away

Marshallberg

9.4 miles away

Davis

13.7 miles away

Broad Creek

14.0 miles away

Havelock

18.5 miles away

Emerald Isle

20.1 miles away

Minnesott Beach

20.8 miles away

Atlantic

22.5 miles away

Oriental

22.6 miles away

Arapahoe

23.1 miles away

Swansboro

26.0 miles away

Fairfield Harbour

29.5 miles away

Grantsboro

31.5 miles away

Vandemere

33.2 miles away

Mesic

34.2 miles away

Maysville

34.2 miles away

New Bern

34.8 miles away

Piney Green

36.5 miles away

Pollocksville

36.9 miles away

Jacksonville

40.6 miles away

Sneads Ferry

41.3 miles away

Aurora

41.5 miles away

Half Moon

45.0 miles away

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FAQ about Bulkhead Channel fishing

📍 Where is Bulkhead Channel located?
Bulkhead Channel is a part of an ocean located in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Its coordinates are:
34°42′31.9″N 76°40′44.6″W
.
🎣 Where on Bulkhead Channel is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Bulkhead 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 Bulkhead Channel?
The most common species in Bulkhead Channel are:
📢 What are the latest Bulkhead Channel fishing reports?
The latest Bulkhead Channel fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Bulkhead Channel right now?
According to fishing regulations at Bulkhead 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 Bulkhead 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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