This is the Official North Carolina Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the North Carolina state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
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Weather its North Carolina Trout fishing, North Carolina bass fishing, North Carolina striper fishing, North Carolina Salmon fishing, North Carolina Catfish fishing, North Carolina steelhead fishing, North Carolina Panfish fishing, North Carolina pike/muskie fishing, North Carolina Walleye fishing  We have the North Carolina state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need North Carolina fishing maps, North Carolina state fishing maps, or just some North Carolina fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

North Carolina Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to North Carolina, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Apalachia Lake, B Everett Jordan Lake, Badin Lake, Belews Lake, Blewett Falls Lake, Chatuge Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, High Rock Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Hyco Reservoir, Kerr Lake, Kings Mountain Reservoir, Lake Gaston, Lake Glenville, Lake Hickory, Lake James, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Norman, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Tillery, Lake Waccamaw, Lake Wylie, Mayo Reservoir, Mountain Island Lake, Phelps Lake, Roanoke Rapids Lake, Santeetlah Lake, Shearon Harris Reservoir, W Kerr Scott Reservoir and others. Many of the lakes in North Carolina have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. North Carolina is well known for excellent Bass, Crappie and Stripers fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Trout, Walleye, Catfish, Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Sauger, Longnose Gar, Bowfin and sunfish including Flier Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Warmouth, White Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in North Carolina by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Redeye & Spotted Bass Fishing in North Carolina.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the North Carolina area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In North Carolina

Find fishing water in NC and chances are you found a chance to catch bass. All the major lakes in North Carolina have healthy populations of bass. These lakes include Apalachia Lake, B Everett Jordan Lake, Badin Lake, Belews Lake, Blewett Falls Lake, Chatuge Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, High Rock Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Hyco Reservoir, Kerr Lake, Kings Mountain Reservoir, Lake Gaston, Lake Glenville, Lake Hickory, Lake James, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Norman, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Tillery, Lake Waccamaw, Lake Wylie, Mayo Reservoir, Mountain Island Lake, Phelps Lake, Roanoke Rapids Lake, Santeetlah Lake, Shearon Harris Reservoir and W Kerr Scott Reservoir.

North Carolina state record largemouth bass was taken from a privat pond and the state record smallmouth bass came form Hiwassee Reservoir.

Trout Fishing in North Carolina

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In North Carolina

As you might imagine, trout fishing waters in NC are few and far between. Lakes in the state with a substantial population of trout include Fontana, Santeetlah, Nantahala, Chatuge, Lake Glenville and Santeetlah Lake. Several rivers in the state have spotty trout fishing as do some small ponds and parks.

North Carolina state record brook trout was taken from Raven Fork and the state record brown trout was caught in the Nantahala River. It is unknown where the state record rainbow trout was caught.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has a stocking program for fish across the state. Visit their website to gather details on trout stocking in North Carolina.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Known for its tasty pink flesh, beauty and gameness, the rainbow trout is a favorite among the vast majority of trout fishing anglers. It also appeals to the fly fisherman as it can be tempted to take properly presented flies as well as other baits and lures. It feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms. Rainbow trout fishing is fun for both sport and dining pleasures.

In waters that allow such migration the rainbow trout will remain in streams until it reaches 6" to 9" in length and then travel to lakes or oceans where it will bulk up and then return to the streams or rivers to spawn. Steelhead trout are rainbow trout which have adapted to the salt water environment. Fishing for steelhead is very similar to fishing for rainbows. However in winter the steelhead typically prefer spoons or bait rather than flies.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Walleye Fishing in North Carolina

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In North Carolina

For walleye enthusiasts there are several lakes with notable populations of walleye. Those lakes include Fontana Lake, Lake Chatuge, Lake Glenville, Lake James, Santeetlah Lake and W Kerr Scott Reservoir. You are liable to find limited walleye fishing in the rivers flowing into and out of these lakes.

North Carolina state record walleye was taken from Lake Chatuge.

North Carolina walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for North Carolina walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in North Carolina

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In North Carolina

It is not an overstatement to say that crappie are everywhere in North Carolina. To begin with, most major lakes in NC have healthy schools of crappie. Those lakes include Apalachia Lake, B Everett Jordan Lake, Belews Lake, Chatuge Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, High Rock Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Hyco Reservoir, Kerr Lake, Kings Mountain Reservoir, Lake Hickory, Lake James, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Norman, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Tillery, Lake Waccamaw, Lake Wylie, Mayo Reservoir, Mountain Island Lake, Roanoke Rapids Lake, Shearon Harris Reservoir and W Kerr Scott Reservoir. In addition crappie can be found in most ponds, rivers and smaller lakes.

North Carolina state record crappie was caught out of Asheboro City Lake #4.

Catfish Fishing in North Carolina

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In North Carolina

North Carolina presents ideal conditions for catfish and most waters in the state have one or more species of catfish. The major lakes with healthy populations of catfish include Apalachia Lake, B Everett Jordan Lake, Badin Lake, Belews Lake, Blewett Falls Lake, Chatuge Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, High Rock Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Hyco Reservoir, Kerr Lake, Kings Mountain Reservoir, Lake Gaston, Lake Glenville, Lake Hickory, Lake James, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Norman, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Tillery, Lake Waccamaw, Lake Wylie, Mayo Reservoir, Mountain Island Lake, Phelps Lake, Roanoke Rapids Lake, Santeetlah Lake, Shearon Harris Reservoir and W Kerr Scott Reservoir. Most ponds, creeks, rivers and smaller lakes also have catfish.

North Carolina state record blue catfish was taken from Lake Norman, the state record channel catfish came from Fontana Reservoir, the Cape Fear River gave up the state record flathead catfish and Lake James yielded the state record for white catfish.

Sunfish Fishing in North Carolina for Bluegills, Flier Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Warmouth, White Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch and Other NC Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout North Carolina and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In North Carolina

It might be next to impossible to find fishing water in North Carolina without one or more species of panfish. And, they tend to grow a bit bigger in this part of the country. All major lakes including Apalachia Lake, B Everett Jordan Lake, Badin Lake, Belews Lake, Blewett Falls Lake, Chatuge Lake, Falls Lake, Fontana Lake, High Rock Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Hyco Reservoir, Kerr Lake, Kings Mountain Reservoir, Lake Gaston, Lake Glenville, Lake Hickory, Lake James, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Norman, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Tillery, Lake Waccamaw, Lake Wylie, Mayo Reservoir, Mountain Island Lake, Phelps Lake, Roanoke Rapids Lake, Santeetlah Lake, Shearon Harris Reservoir and W Kerr Scott Reservoir have healthy schools of panfish. You'll also find panfish in most ponds, rivers and small lakes as well.

North Carolina state record flier sunfish was taken from a private pond the state record green sunfish came from a farm pond, the Trent River served up the state record pumpkinseed sunfish, Big Swamp was home to the state record redbreast sunfish, the state record redear sunfish came from Lookout Shoals Lake. the state record white perch came from Falls of the Neuse Reservoir, the state record yellow perch came out of Indiantown Creek and it is unknown where the state record bluegill was caught.

Striper Fishing in North Carolina

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams which drain into the ocean become the spawning grounds for stripers.

Striped Bass Fishing Lakes In North Carolina

North Carolina offers a substantial number waters for great striper fishing. The major lakes with striped bass include Apalachia Lake, Badin Lake, Belews Lake, Chatuge Lake, Hiwassee Lake, Kerr Lake, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Norman, Lake Tillery and Lake Wylie.

North Carolina state record striper was taken from Hiwassee Reservoir.

Fishing for other Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Sauger, Longnose Gar and Bowfin in North Carolina.

Musky - Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
World Record: 69.9 lbs
The largest of the pike family, they are found in about half the states, primarily the northern and northeastern states. They prefer clear water with temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees. Also known as musky, muskie and great pike, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures (salt-water sizes) and heavy line when fishing for muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Tiger Musky - Muskellunge
Esox lucius ~ Esox masquinongy
USA Record: 51.2 lbs.
The tiger muskellunge is a cross of the musky and northern pike. Male Tiger Muskellunge are most often sterile yet some females are fertile. Tiger muskies tend to be smaller than non-hybrid muskies but grow very fast. The body is often quite silvery with brownish fins and tail, without spots but displays broken vertical markings. Like their parent, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures and stout line when fishing for tiger muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
World Record: 9.4 lbs.
A freshwater fish in the pike family easily identified by the "chain-like marking along its sides. It can be found in the northwest, northeast and southeast sections of the USA. Its primary food source is smaller fish and is known to lie in wait to ambush its prey. While it can be eaten it is not considered one of the better sport fishes for table fare. The chain peickere can be caught on fish-imitation lures and live or cut bait. Watch the sharp teeth when handling. Prefers water temperatures from 62 to 70 degrees. Also known as pickerel, eastern pickerel, pike, grass pike, jackfish, jack and others.

Sauger
Stizostedion canadense
World Record: 17.7 lbs.
Excellent eating fish which typically runs a bit smaller than its cousin the walleye. The sauger prefers cold and cloudy, moving water in the 60s to low 70s. They spawn in the low to mid 40s. You can tell them from a walleye by the dark spotting on the dorsal fin, darker coloring and the rough covering of the gill area. Due to their resembelance to pickerel, they are also known as gray pickerel spotfin pike, gray pike, river pike and others. When the water turns cold and other fish are hard to come by, this is the time to fish for sauger.Fish with jigs, spoons and crankbaits imitating crayfish or baitfish. Fish near the bottom and experiment with presentation action and speed.

Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
World Record: 25 lbs
The Longnose Gar can be found in lakes and rivers and prefers quiet backwaters with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees. Also referred to as gar and garfish, It has a long, sword-like mouth loaded with sharp teeth. They are nocturnal feeders and eat most smaller fish. They can be taken on live bait, fish-imitating lures and nylon string "gobs designed to entangle in their teeth. Most longnose gar are taken by bowfishing or spear fishing. The meat is somewhat tasty but quite bony.

Bowfin
Amia calva
World Record: 21.5 lbs.
Found in waters around Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, the bowfin prefers water temperatures of the warmer climates. It has an exceptionally long dorsal fin which extends back to the tail, made of about 50 spines or rays. Near the upper tail is an eye spot. They have very sharp teeth and a nasty disposition when hooked. Handle with caution. They are most often caught on cut bait and crayfish. They put up quite a fight and are not considered good eating. The bowfin is also known as dogfish, mud pike, mudfish, grindle, swamp bass and others.

North Carolina Fishing Regulations Info Page     North Carolina Fishing Regulations Guidebook