The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and its partners are participating in National Fishing and Boating Week, held the first week of June each year, with events being held throughout North Carolina.
Topics Related to Fishing
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission voted to adopt a temporary rule for sheepshead harvest in Inland Fishing Waters and by hook-and-line in Joint Fishing Waters. The daily creel limit for sheepshead is now five fish and the minimum size limit is 14 inches. There is no closed season, and sheepshead shall not be sold.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has closed the recreational harvest of spotted seatrout in inland and joint (by hook-and-line) fishing waters from April 6 through June 30, 2026. NCWRC commissioners voted to adopt a temporary rule implementing the harvest closure during a special business meeting on March 24.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has suspended the season for harvesting striped bass by hook-and-line in the Roanoke River Management Area from 12:00 a.m. on Monday, March 9 through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2026. This includes the Roanoke River and its tributaries from Roanoke Rapids Dam downstream to the mouth of the river at the Albemarle Sound, as well as the Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers.
Public Comments Sought for Proposed Temporary Rule for Spotted Seatrout Recreational Harvest Closure
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking public comments on a proposed temporary rule amendment to close recreational harvesting of spotted seatrout in inland and joint (by hook-and-line) fishing waters from April 6, 2026 to June 30, 2026.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has released the 2026 public mountain trout waters stocking schedule and announced efforts to address impacts caused during a $50 million major renovation.
New fishing reporting requirements are just a month away — beginning Dec. 1 — and North Carolina’s two fisheries management agencies continue efforts to get the word out, as the requirements impact both commercial and recreational fishermen.
Just as many lives, businesses, landscapes and wildlife were impacted on September 27, 2024 by Hurricane Helene as it ravaged through western North Carolina, one of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s (NCWRC) fish hatcheries, the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery in McDowell County, was nearly destroyed.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will implement Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations on 33 trout waters beginning Oct. 1.