The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is seeking public comments on a proposed temporary rule amendment to decrease the daily creel limit for sheepshead from 10 to five fish and increase the minimum size from 10 to 14 inches in Inland Fishing Waters and Joint Fishing Waters (hook-and-line) to be consistent with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries proclamation.
“The Wildlife Resources Commission initiated the temporary rulemaking process to provide regulatory consistency for sheepshead following the Marine Fisheries’ proclamation,” said Inland Fisheries Division Chief Corey Oakley.
An in-person public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 10, 2026 at the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Lenoir County Center, 1791 NC-11, Kinston. Both the sheepshead and spotted seatrout temporary rule amendments will be discussed. No pre-registration required.
NCWRC will also hold a virtual hearing on this amendment on March 17 at 2 p.m. Pre-registration is required to attend.
The public may also submit comments online through March 31, 2026 or by emailing regulations@ncwildlife.gov or via U.S. Postal Service at Rulemaking Coordinator, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1701, postmarked by March 31, 2026.
NCWRC Commissioners will review all comments submitted by the noted deadline and vote on this temporary rule during the business meeting in April 2026.
More information may be found on NCWRC’s Proposed Regulations webpage.