Topics Related to Fishing

Alabama bass, which are invasive to North Carolina, are now in more rivers and lakes than ever before and are competing with our native fish and aquatic organisms. Biologists at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) are asking the public for help to prevent the spread and reduce the populations of this invasive species in order to protect the future of native largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. 

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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, which runs from March 1 through April 30, 2025. 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.

Anglers, get your fishing gear ready. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will soon stock more than 60,000 trout from its Bobby N. Setzer fish hatchery into 40 small lakes and ponds as far east at Edgecombe County.  

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s (NCWRC) Armstrong State Fish Hatchery in McDowell County north of Marion sustained significant damage as a result of flooding and landslides during Hurricane Helene. Some of the hatchery’s trout escaped during the flooding; however, most of the 600,000 fish of various sizes died when the storm compromised the water supply to the raceways and hatchery building. Currently, Armstrong State Fish Hatchery is closed indefinitely.

Please note: since this press release was published, the dates for the Setzer Hatchery renovation have been changed. The information has been updated below.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host two family-friendly event to recognize National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual celebration promoting outdoor recreation and conservation. 

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) approved a temporary amendment to the flounder rule at their business meeting on July 25th that was subsequently approved by the N.C. Rules Review Commission (RRC) on July 31st. Under this modification, the 2024 flounder season will be open in Inland Fishing Waters and in Joint Fishing Waters for hook and line fishing only on September 1st and 2nd and again on September 7th and 8th. The daily creel limit is one fish with a minimum size limit of 15-inches.

Public Asked to Report Hellbender and Mudpuppy Sightings