Fishing License Rules and Regulations in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to a great wealth of fishing opportunities but anglers may need to have a fishing license to take advantage of them. Most fishermen in the state need a fishing license but there are exceptions.

Anglers in North Carolina can visit the many freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers or go to the coast for saltwater fishing from surf, pier, or boats. North Carolina has a different fishing license for both fresh and saltwater fishing so you need to know the regulations.

All North Carolina fishing licenses can be purchased online from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (which also handles hunting licenses). You can also get them at all Wal-Mart stores and in many local bait and tackle shops.

You can buy your North Carolina fishing license online at the North Carolina Resource Commission website.

Fishing license fees can vary and sometimes change. The above link will allow you to pick from an annual fishing license or a short-term fishing license. The fees are higher for non-residents than for residents.

You can buy your inland and coastal fishing license at the same time if you wish.

You can also buy a lifetime fishing license in North Carolina, and even a combined lifetime hunting and fishing license.

People under the age of 16 are exempt from the basic fresh and saltwater fishing license requirement.

A fishing license is not required to fish a private pond. Please note that a pond or lake located on land owned by a public body such as a state-supported university or a government entity is not a private pond.

A North Carolina resident may fish with natural bait in their county of residence without a basic fishing license. Natural bait is defined by the state as any bait that can be beneficially digested by fish. Such an individual must carry a form of identification that shows his or her photograph, name and current address.

July 4th is declared a free fishing day in North Carolina and a fishing license is not required on this date.

Anglers who want to go fishing for freshwater trout in North Carolina's mountain regions can buy a special trout fishing privilege at the same time the get an inland freshwater fishing license. You will probably need this if you want to catch trout from the mountain lakes, ponds, and streams.

Rules for ocean commercial fishermen and for recreational anglers wishing to use commercial gear are available from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.

Sources:

NC Wildlife Resources Commission
800-662-7137
http://www.ncwildlife.org

NC Division of Marine Fisheries
800-682-2632
http://www.ncfisheries.net