The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will wait until November to stock Delayed Harvest Trout Waters. Impacts from an unusually hot summer, coupled with the ongoing drought conditions and damage from Hurricane Helene, have caused lethally high-water temperatures flowing into the state’s mountain trout hatcheries, thus reducing the number of available fish to stock.
Topics Related to Fishing
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will host two free family-friendly events to recognize National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual celebration promoting outdoor recreation and conservation.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will open the 2026 flounder harvest season for Inland Fishing Waters and in Joint Fishing Waters for hook and line fishing only, Sept. 1 to Sept. 14, 2026. The daily creel limit is one fish with a minimum size limit of 15 inches.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is holding a day-long Outdoor Skills Academy for Women Sampler event on May 30 at the John E.
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.
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.