North Carolina Fishing Laws and Regulations You Need To Know

What if your favorite pastime landed you in trouble with the police?

There is nothing quite as relaxing in North Carolina as a day of fishing. But whether you're doing it for business or pleasure, there are important rules and regulations you must follow. Otherwise, you may face some very serious consequences!

What, then, are the North Carolina fishing laws you should know about? Keep reading to discover the answer!

Check the Signs

Some of the North Carolina fishing laws you must follow are simpler than others. For example, it's important for you to check the signs before fishing.

Helpful signs will label inland, joint and coastal fishing waters. If you'd like to do your homework about which is which before you head out, you'll find that info here.

Regulations About Catching Fish

The state's fishing laws spell out what you can and cannot do when catching fish. Here are the regulations you need to know about.

First, you must only use a hook and line to catch inland game fish. Second, you can only use a landing net once you have caught something in the hook and line.

Third, it is outright illegal to drag hooks (or devices with hooks) through the water to impale fish. Beyond these basic rules, there are other regulations you should know about.

For example, in areas with open seasons for bow nets, you are allowed to capture American and hickory shad with the nets between March 1st and April 30th. But you'll need to know the daily creel limits before you head out.

A special rule governs fishing in the Roanoke River that is upstream of the U.S. 258 bridge. Between April 1st and June 30th, you can only fish there with one barbless hook (or a lure with one barbless hook) during those dates.

Fishing Laws About Possession

Just as there are fishing regulations about catching fish, there are also rules about possessing them. We already touched on one of these regulations: you must abide by the daily creel limit while fishing. While fishing, you can't have more than the daily limit on you, and you can never have more than three times the daily limit in any location.

You must follow all regulations governing things like fishing size and fishing seasons. Accordingly, you must not change the look or shape of a fish (such as by removing the head or tail) to prevent fish from being accurately measured or identified.

Finally, you can legally use inland game that you caught according to fishing regulations as your bait. But it is illegal to unnecessarily destroy any inland game fish under any circumstances. 

Seasonal Fishing Info

Generally speaking, there are no seasonal restrictions on inland game fish. However, there are a few special exceptions you should know about.

First, in certain Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, fishing is prohibited from March until the first Saturday in April. And you will have to abide by separate federal regulations when fishing in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge.

When fishing on certain sections of the Roanoke River, you cannot fish for striped bass between May to the end of the following February. And fishing is prohibited in certain areas of the Linville River between February 15 and April 15.

Make Your Fishing Dreams Come True Today

Now you know the most important North Carolina fishing laws. But do you know where to have an incredible fishing experience?

Here at Eastern Angling, we provide absolutely unforgettable fishing trips. To learn more, all you have to do is contact us today!