Top fish species at Duck Ponds

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Check which species have trophy potential in Duck Ponds

Duck Ponds fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

11 in · 1 lb 4 oz

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Black sea bass

length · weight

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Pigfish

length · weight

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Northern puffer

length · weight

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Blacktip shark

length · weight

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Spotted seatrout

length · weight

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General info

Duck Ponds is a lake located in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. It is most popular for fishing Red drum, Spotted seatrout, and Common dolphinfish.

Location

35°12′48.1″N 75°41′17.7″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Duck Ponds, 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
Common dolphinfish

Common dolphinfish

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Bag limit10

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.

Vessel limit54

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

Required licenses
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Additional information
Limit of 10 per person per day or 54 per vessel per day, whichever is less. Headboat vessels with a valid U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection may possess 10 dolphin per paying customer. For more information, see current NC Marine Fisheries Proclamation No sale of recreational bag limit on vessels operating as charter or headboats.
Edibility
Excellent, and they are considered a very sustainable fishery. Catch, Clean, Cook Mahi Mahi by DMFD
Synonyms
Coryphaena hippurus, dorado, mahi mahi
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Local laws and licenses

North Carolina fishing license

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Cities nearby

Hatteras

0.3 miles away

Buxton

8.4 miles away

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14.5 miles away

Engelhard

27.3 miles away

Waves

27.6 miles away

Rodanthe

29.0 miles away

Fairfield

38.1 miles away

Swan Quarter

38.4 miles away

Wanchese

43.4 miles away

Atlantic

43.6 miles away

Manns Harbor

47.3 miles away

Manteo

47.6 miles away

Davis

52.4 miles away

Mesic

54.0 miles away

Vandemere

55.2 miles away

Kill Devil Hills

55.5 miles away

Belhaven

57.4 miles away

Oriental

57.5 miles away

Marshallberg

57.6 miles away

Columbia

57.9 miles away

Pantego

60.5 miles away

Creswell

60.8 miles away

Harkers Island

60.8 miles away

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FAQ about Duck Ponds fishing

📍 Where is Duck Ponds located?
Duck Ponds is a lake located in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. Its coordinates are:
35°12′48.1″N 75°41′17.7″W
.
🎣 Where on Duck Ponds is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Duck Ponds 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 Duck Ponds?
The most common species in Duck Ponds are:
📢 What are the latest Duck Ponds fishing reports?
The latest Duck Ponds fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Duck Ponds right now?
According to fishing regulations at Duck Ponds, 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 Duck Ponds?

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
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