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  4. Bass fishing in North Carolina

Bass fishing in North Carolina

North Carolina provides strong freshwater fishing opportunities for bass. Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the state offer reliable action for anglers.

Best baits and lures for Bass in North Carolina

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Biggest Bass catches

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Latest Bass fishing reports in North Carolina

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Largemouth bass

Woodbury

length · weight

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recently logged catches
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Largemouth bass

Woodbury

length · weight

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recently logged catches
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Largemouth bass

Woodbury

length · weight

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recently logged catches
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Largemouth bass

Woodbury

length · weight

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recently logged catches
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Largemouth bass

Woodbury

length · weight

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recently logged catches
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Largemouth bass

Pineville Lake Park

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

ECU Recreational Complex

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Largemouth bass

Pineville Lake Park

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Largemouth bass

Camp Durant Lake Number One

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Largemouth bass

Pineville Lake Park

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Regulations for Bass in North Carolina

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.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Largemouth bass as of August 6th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Largemouth bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

5

Min size

14"

Measurement

Total Length
Restrictions & requirements
Additional information
14-inch minimum, except 2 may be less than 14 inchesFor more information please see https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing/regulationsSize and daily creel limit exceptions to state waters regulations:Lake Santeetlah (Graham Co.)No minimum size limit, and only 5 large- mouth bass and smallmouth bass in combination may be greater than 14 inchesNo daily creel limit for large- mouth bass and smallmouth bass less than 14 inches, and only 5 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in combination may be greater than 14 inchesLake Cammack (Alamance Co.) and Lake Holt (Granville Co.)No minimum size limit, and only 2 may be greater than 14 inches10, including only 2 greater than 14 inchesNew River (Alleghany Co. portion downstream of Fields Dam in Grayson Co., VA)No minimum size, none between 14-22 inches may be possessed, and only 1 large- mouth bass, smallmouth bass, or spotted bass may be greater than 22 inches5 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass in combination, including only 1 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, or spotted bass greater than 22 inchesLake Chatuge (Clay Co.)12-inch minimum10 largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Alabama bass, and spotted bass in combinationIn the following waters and their tributaries:Albemarle, Croatan, Currituck, and Roanoke SoundsAlligator River (including the Alligator/Pungo Canal (Intra- coastal Waterway) east of the U.S. 264/N.C. 45 bridge)Big Flatty Creek (Pasquotank Co.)Chowan River (including the Meherrin River)Little River (Pasquotank and Perquimans counties)North River (Camden and Currituck counties)Northwest River (Currituck Co.)Pasquotank RiverPerquimans RiverRoanoke River downstream of Roanoke Rapids DamScuppernong RiverYeopim RiverAll other associated tributaries and canals to the waters listed above14-inch minimum; limit 5New Lake (Hyde Co.)14-inch minimum; limit 5Pungo Lake (Hyde and Washington counties)14-inch minimum; limit 5Lake Raleigh (Wake Co.)14-inch minimum; limit 5Sutton Lake (New Hanover Co.)14-inch minimum; limit 5Lake Hampton (Yadkin Co.) and Shearon Harris Reservoir (Chatham and Wake counties)14-inch minimum, except 2 may be less than 14 inches and none between 16-20 inches may be possessed 5, including only 2 less than 14 inchesLake Phelps14-inch minimum and none between 16-20 inches may be possessed; limit 5Buckhorn Reservoir (Nash and Wilson counties) and Cane Creek Lake (Union Co.)16-inch minimum; limit 5Lake Mattamuskeet and associated canals (Hyde Co.)16-inch minimum, and only 1 may be greater than 20 inches; limit 5, including only 1 greater than 20 inchesLake Thom-A-Lex (Davidson Co.)18-inch minimum; limit 5Jean Guite Creek and assoicated canals within the Town of Southern Shores (Dare Co.) and Ponds associated with Martin Marietta Park (Craven Co.)No largemouth bass may be possessedFor more information please see https://www.ncwildlife.org/licensing/regulations
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms

Micropterus nigricans

Regulations for

35°10′13.9″N 79°51′40″W
Regulations in the map
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FAQ

🎣 What Bass species can you catch in North Carolina?
Anglers in North Carolina commonly catch several Bass species, including Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Spotted bass, Alabama bass, and Florida bass, according to reports from Fishbrain members.

These species can be found in many lakes, rivers and streams, coastal waters throughout the area. If you are targeting a specific species, you can use the to filter catches by species and see where anglers are catching them and which baits they are using.
📍 Where are the best places to catch Bass in North Carolina?
Bass are caught in lakes, rivers and streams, coastal waters throughout North Carolina. Popular fishing waters reported by Fishbrain members include Lake Norman, New River, and Lake Wylie.

The allows anglers to see exact catch locations shared by other members, helping you discover productive fishing spots where Bass have recently been caught.