Public Mountain Trout Waters are managed by five different classifications. Consult the North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest for current regulatory information.

Definitions:

• An artificial lure is defined as a fishing lure that neither contains nor has been treated with any substance that attracts fish by the sense of taste or smell.
• An artificial fly is defined as one single hook dressed with feathers, hair, thread, tinsel, rubber, or any similar material to which no additional hook, spinner, spoon or similar device is added.
• Natural bait is defined as any living or dead organism (plant or animal), or parts thereof, or prepared substances designed to attract fish by the sense of taste or smell.
• A single hook is defined as a fish hook with only one point.

• Season is closed from March 1 through the first Friday in April.
• Season is open from 7:00 a.m. on the first Saturday in April through February 28 of the following year.
  • No bait restrictions.
  • No minimum length limit.
  • Seven (7) trout per day creel limit.
• There is no closed season for fishing on power reservoirs and city water supply reservoirs designated as trout waters.

October 1 to one-half hour after sunset on the Friday before the first Saturday in June:

• No trout may be harvested or possessed.
• Only artificial lures having one single hook may be used.
• It is unlawful to possess natural bait on your person while fishing.

No fishing allowed at all between one-half hour after sunset on the Friday before the first Saturday in June to 6:00 a.m. on the first Saturday in June.

At 6:00 a.m. on the first Saturday in June until 12:00 p.m. that same day:

• Only youth under the age of 16 may fish.
• No bait restrictions.
• No minimum length limit.
• Seven (7) trout per day creel limit.

From 12:00 p.m. on the first Saturday in June until September 30:

• Waters are open for all anglers.
• No bait restrictions.
• No minimum length limit.
• Seven (7) trout per day creel limit.

• Season is open year-round.
• Only artificial lures having one single hook may be used.
• You can only keep four (4) fish per day.
• The four fish must be at least seven (7) inches long.
• It is unlawful to possess natural bait on your person while fishing.

• Season is open year-round.
• No trout may be harvested or possessed.
• Only artificial flies and lures having one single hook may be used.
• It is unlawful to possess natural bait on your person while fishing.

The Special Regulation classification allows the Commission to implement site specific regulations on unique trout fisheries in the state that do not fit into existing categories. The regulations for each water body managed under Special Regulation will be displayed on each sign.