North Carolina Fishing Regulations
Managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Summary below verified 2026-07-27.
⚠️ This is a planning summary, not the law. Rules change mid-season and many waters carry special regulations. Verify with the official North Carolina rules before keeping fish.
License fees
Inland fishing (WRC) and coastal fishing (Division of Marine Fisheries) use separate licenses; a Unified license covers both. Anglers 16+ need one.
| Resident inland annual | ≈$25 |
| Resident coastal annual | ≈$16 |
| Non-resident inland annual | ≈$45 |
Fees approximate as of 2026-07-27; agency fees pages have exact current pricing.
Season, size & bag limits — popular species
| Species | Waters | Season | Daily bag | Size limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | Inland | Open year-round | 5 (black bass combined) | 14" minimum on most waters | Exceptions by water body |
| Crappie | Inland | Open year-round | 20 | 8" on some reservoirs | Varies |
| Mountain trout | Designated trout waters | Hatchery-supported waters closed March; open April – Feb | 7 (hatchery supported) | None (hatchery); wild waters differ | Water classification determines rules |
| Red drum | Coastal | Open year-round | 1 | 18–27" slot | |
| Spotted seatrout | Coastal | Open (cold-stun closures possible) | 4 | 14" minimum | |
| Southern flounder | Coastal | Short annual season set each year (sometimes closed) | 1 (when open) | 15" minimum | Season announced annually — check DMF |
Flounder and trout rules have changed nearly every year recently. Confirm coastal rules with the Division of Marine Fisheries proclamations before harvesting.
Plan your North Carolina trip
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