North Carolina Fishing Regulations: Bag Limits, Size Limits and Seasons

These are the statewide daily bag limits and length limits North Carolina anglers work under, taken from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) guide for 2026-2027 NCWRC regulations digest (effective August 1). Statewide means the default: most states, North Carolina included, override these on specific lakes, rivers and coastal zones, so treat this page as the baseline and the official guide as the rule for the water you are standing on.

Warmwater fishing is open year-round. Hatchery-supported trout waters close March 1 and reopen at 7 a.m. on the first Saturday in April; wild trout waters have no closed season. Coastal flounder opens only for a short announced season in early fall. You will still need the North Carolina fishing license, which runs $51 for residents and $56 for non-residents; the North Carolina fishing license page covers short-term options, exemptions and where to buy.

AgencyNorth Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC)
Regulation year2026-2027 NCWRC regulations digest (effective August 1)
Free fishingJuly 4 every year, in all public waters, saltwater included. No license or trout privilege needed; length and creel limits still apply.
Official regulation guide License cost

Limits last verified 2026-09-16.

North Carolina freshwater bag and length limits

Statewide freshwater limits. Water-specific exceptions in the official guide take precedence.
Species Daily bag Length
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Alabama)Many reservoirs run their own size or creel rule. 5 combined 14 in. minimum, except 2 may be under 14 in.
CrappieMany major waters use an 8 in. minimum and 20-fish limit; check the water. No statewide limit None
Sunfish No statewide limit None
White bass 10 None
Striped bass and hybridsCoastal rivers have separate spring seasons and slot rules. 4 combined 20 in. minimum
Walleye 8 None
Catfish (blue, channel, flathead)Only 1 blue catfish over 32 in. per day on several reservoirs; 5 catfish on the lower Pee Dee. No statewide limit None
Muskellunge 1 42 in. minimum
Mountain trout, hatchery-supported waters 7 None
Mountain trout, wild trout waters 4 7 in. minimum

North Carolina saltwater limits

Headline coastal species. Federal waters and species with quotas can close mid-season; check the official saltwater guide before a trip.
Species Daily bag Length
Red drumHarvest must be reported to NC Marine Fisheries. 1 18-27 in. slot
Spotted seatroutOne fish in the bag may be over 26 in. Harvest must be reported. 3 14-20 in. slot
Southern flounderOpen only during the short announced fall season. 1 15 in. minimum

Saltwater source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission saltwater regulations.

How to read a bag limit

A daily bag limit is the number of that species one angler may keep in a day, and in most states also the number you may have in possession on the water. Where a row says "combined", the number is shared across every species named in it. A minimum length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched; a slot means fish inside the range must go back. When a lake has its own rule in the official guide, that rule replaces the statewide one for that water only.

Related: the North Carolina fishing license page for the fee and where to buy, non-resident fishing license fees across states, and fishing regulations for every state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bass limit in North Carolina?

Statewide, North Carolina allows 5 combined black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, alabama) per day, with a length rule of 14 in. minimum, except 2 may be under 14 in.. Many reservoirs run their own size or creel rule. Individual lakes often carry a different slot or minimum, so check the water-specific exceptions in the official guide.

How many crappie can you keep in North Carolina?

The statewide daily limit is no statewide limit, size rule none. Many major waters use an 8 in. minimum and 20-fish limit; check the water.

What is the catfish limit in North Carolina?

Catfish (blue, channel, flathead): no statewide limit per day, none. Only 1 blue catfish over 32 in. per day on several reservoirs; 5 catfish on the lower Pee Dee.

What is the trout limit in North Carolina?

Mountain trout, hatchery-supported waters: 7 per day, none.

Is there a closed season for fishing in North Carolina?

Warmwater fishing is open year-round. Hatchery-supported trout waters close March 1 and reopen at 7 a.m. on the first Saturday in April; wild trout waters have no closed season. Coastal flounder opens only for a short announced season in early fall.

When can you fish without a license in North Carolina?

July 4 every year, in all public waters, saltwater included. No license or trout privilege needed; length and creel limits still apply.

Do I need a license to fish in North Carolina?

Yes for most adults. The annual North Carolina fishing license costs $51 for residents and $56 for non-residents. Resident figure shown is the Unified inland+coastal license ($51); inland-only is $32, coastal-only is $20. Non-resident figure shown is inland-only ($56) since NC does not sell a non-resident unified annual; non-resident coastal-only is $40. Fees from the NCWRC regulations digest, last updated July 13, 2026. See the North Carolina fishing license page for short-term options and where to buy.

Where do these North Carolina limits come from?

Every figure on this page was read from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) regulation guide for 2026-2027 NCWRC regulations digest (effective August 1) and last checked on 2026-09-16. The guide, not this page, is the legal document. Use the official source link above before you keep a fish.