Seasons, Size and Creel Limits
Begin on page 12
License Information
Page 4
Species Identification
Pages 10-11
Saltwater Regulations and More
COASTAL RECREATIONAL
FISHING DIGEST
FREE
NORTH CAROLINA 2015
2 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015
2015 promises to bring another
great year of fishing on the North
Carolina coast, and the N.C.
Division of Marine Fisheries is
pleased to present the 2015 Coastal
Recreational Fishing Digest.
Featured in this year’s digest is an
article on the N.C. Division of Marine
Fisheries’ Tagging Program. It’s an
opportunity for fishermen to help state
fisheries biologists with their research.
There are rewards offered, as well.
Also, new in this year’s digest is an article
about how the N.C. Marine Patrol and
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
are attaching plastic tags to vessels during
holiday weekends. This will help them
avoid stopping boaters twice for safety
inspections and expedite other vessel stops.
As always, the digest contains licensing
information, tips for ethical angling,
detailed directions for identifying
king mackerel from Spanish mackerel,
directions for measuring fork length, total
length and curved fork length of a fish
and, of course, a table with recreational
size and bag limits and seasons.
Because marine fisheries regulations are
subject to change frequently, anglers
should check the N.C. Division of Marine
Fisheries’ website at http://portal.ncdenr.
org/web/mf/ for the most up-to-date size
and bag limits just prior to going fishing.
Notable regulatory changes
since last year include:
Black sea bass
North of Cape
Hatteras, the
season will open May 15 to Sept. 21
and Oct. 22 to Dec. 31. The size limit
will remain at 12.5 inches, but the bag
limit will decrease to 15 fish per day.
South of Cape Hatteras, the season
opening has changed to April 1, but
the 13-inch size limit and five-fish daily
bag limit remain the same. The season
closes when the quota is reached.
Southern flounder
Fishermen should
be aware that stricter
flounder regulations may be implemented in
August or September 2015. In February, the
N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission voted to
consider reducing the catch in the southern
flounder fishery by between 25 percent and
60 percent. Proposals for regulatory changes
had not yet been developed when this digest
went to press, but a news release announcing
the proposed changes and a public
comment period will be posted at http://
portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/news-releases.
Plastic tags meant to head
off double safety inspections
If your boat gets stopped for a safety
check in coastal waters this summer,
don’t be surprised if the officer
attaches a plastic tag to the vessel.
Don’t be alarmed. It’s a joint project
between the N.C. Marine Patrol and the
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to
help officers with both agencies them avoid
stopping boaters twice for safety inspections
and to expedite other vessel stops.
The tags simply serve as a visual cue from
one officer to another that the boat has
already been checked. The two enforcement
agencies will be attaching plastic tags to
vessels after completion of safety inspections
during all holiday weekends this summer.
This will make the second
consecutive summer where the
two law enforcement agencies have
participated in this tagging project.
With a few exceptions, vessels are
required to carry on board:
• An approved fire extinguisher;
• A personal flotation device (life
jacket) for everyone on board;
• A type IV throw cushion; and
• An emergency sound-making device
(such as a horn or whistle).
Marine Patrol and Wildlife Commission
officers stop vessels in coastal waters to check
for this equipment. While the agencies
typically do not patrol in the same areas at
the same time, there have been incidents
in the past where vessels have been stopped
for safety inspections more than once.
The tags are meant to decrease these types
of occurrences. However, the tags will
not keep officers from stopping vessels
for license and fish size and creel limit
checks, or if a violation is observed.
The tags also will not keep the U.S. Coast
Guard from making safety checks.
The Line on
North Carolina Coastal Fishing
Example of a plastic tag used by Marine Patrol
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015 3
Get Hooked on Ethical Angling
What is ethical angling?
Ethical angling is a set of habits adopted
by conservation-minded fishermen
that aims to protect the well-being of
one of North Carolina’s most prized
natural resources – its fisheries.
While regulations are in place to ensure
that fish populations can reproduce and
sustain the population, ethical anglers go
beyond just obeying size and bag limits.
Ethical anglers fish in a way that minimizes
harm to the fish and their environment.
Here are some easy ways to get started
on becoming an ethical angler, but
more information, including sample
riggings, videos on ethical technique
and habitat protection information,
can be found at http://portal.ncdenr.
org/web/mf/edu/ethical-angling.
Before you go
• Make sure you have a valid Coastal
Recreational Fishing License or are
covered under an exemption.
• Check the latest size and bag limits
on the N.C. Division of Marine
Fisheries’ website, http://portal.
ncdenr.org/web/mf/. Size and bag
limits can change frequently.
• Become familiar with the fish commonly
caught in North Carolina waters so that
you can properly apply size and bag
limits (see center poster of this digest).
• Stock your tackle box with a pair of
needle-nose pliers or a de-hooking device,
a tape measure and a glove or towel.
While you fish
• Practice catch and release. Many released
fish survive to be caught another day.
• Use circle hooks to help prevent the
fish from swallowing the hook.
• Pinch the barb down on circle hooks
and J-hooks to make it easier to release
the fish without causing more damage.
• Match your gear size and strength to
your target species. Using proper gear
reduces the time that a fish is on the line,
improving a released fish’s survival odds.
• Use non-stainless steel hooks. If
lost to the environment or left
inside a fish, they will rust away.
• Do not fight a fish to exhaustion.
Tighten the drag and land it
as quickly as possible.
• Do not discard a previously caught legal
fish for a larger fish to remain within
the bag limit. This is a waste of fish.
To release your catch
• If possible, leave the fish in the water
while removing the hook. If you must
remove the fish from the water, use
a rubber dip net to lift the fish.
• Keep the fish out of the water for as little
time as possible. If taking a picture, have
your camera ready to shoot before the
fish is landed so that you can return the
catch to the water with minimal stress.
• Handle the fish as little as possible.
When you must handle the fish,
be gentle, but still grip it firmly
enough to prevent it from thrashing
around. Never touch a fish’s gills.
• Use a de-hooking device or needle-nose
pliers to grip the hook and gently pull
the hook free. Do not twist the hook. If
necessary, cut the hook to remove it.
• If the hook has been swallowed, cut
the fishing line as close to the hook
as possible; the hook may dissolve
in the fish’s digestive system.
• Return the fish to the water as gently
as possible. If possible, slide the fish
back into the water, holding it near the
surface, allowing water to pass over its
gills. When the fish attempts to swim on
its own, it is ready to be let go. Tossing
the fish back into the water may harm it.
Protect the environment
• Never throw trash overboard. Take it to
shore and properly dispose of it.
• Never dump raw sewage overboard. Use
pump-out facilities and dump stations
to dispose of sewage. Dumping sewage
directly into the water is illegal and can
introduce disease into the water.
• Avoid spilling oil and gasoline into the
water or on land.
• Never harm marine mammals or birds
even if they try to steal your bait or
catch.
• Attempt to retrieve all tackle and gear
that may get snagged or fall overboard.
• Use fish-cleaning stations and trash
receptacles. Excessive fish waste deposited
directly into marine basins can produce
foul odors and impair water quality.
• Report any pollution or environmental
damage to the appropriate authorities.
Tools of the ethical angler: needle nose pliers, de-hooking device and barbless hook. If possible, leave the fish in the water while using a de-hooking device to remove the hook.
4 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015
Recreational
Commercial Gear
License
Recreational fishermen who
want to use a gill net or
other commercial gear in
N.C. coastal waters need
to purchase a Recreational
Commercial Gear License.
The license costs $70 per
year for residents and $500
per year for non-residents. It is
available at N.C. Division of
Marine Fisheries offices and at
many bait and tackle shops.
The license authorizes the
holder to use limited amounts
of commercial gear to harvest
seafood for personal consumption.
Seafood harvested under
this license cannot be sold
and the license holder must
adhere to recreational size
and possession limits, as well
as other gear restrictions.
You will need this license
if you want to use:
• Seine net
• Shrimp trawl (skimmer
or otter)
• Eel, fish, shrimp or crab pots*
• Trotline
• Gill net
• Shrimp pound
• Electronic shocking devices
to catch catfish in certain
areas of the Cape Fear River
More information about the
license and its requirements can
be found on the N.C. Division
of Marine Fisheries website
at http://portal.ncdenr.org/
web/mf/. For restrictions on
specific gears, call 252-726-
7021 or 800-682-2632.
* One crab pot per person with
properly marked buoys may be
attached to the shore on privately
owned land or to a privately
owned pier without a license.
Coastal Recreational
Fishing License
*Out-of-state students attending a university, college, or community college in North Carolina are considered
residents. Members of the military stationed in North Carolina and their dependents are considered residents.
**Residents born on or before Aug. 1, 1953 are eligible to purchase a senior lifetime license when they turn 65 years of
age. Those born after Aug. 1, 1953 are eligible to purchase a senior lifetime license when they turn 70 years of age.
North Carolina requires people 16 or older to hold a Coastal Recreational Fishing License to
saltwater fish in the state. A variety of license options are available and they can be purchased
at many tackle shops, at N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission offices and online at http://www.ncwildlife.org. A $2 transaction fee will be added
to the price of all licenses.
Revenues from license sales are used to manage, protect, restore, develop, cultivate, conserve and
enhance the marine resource.
Annual Coastal Recreational
Fishing Licenses
State Residents* — $15
Nonresidents — $30
10-day Coastal Recreational
Fishing Licenses
State Residents* — $5
Nonresidents, ages 16 or older — $10
Blocks of Ten 10-day — $150
Lifetime Coastal Recreational
Fishing Licenses
Infant: younger than one year — $100
Youth: ages 1-11 — $150
Resident Adult*: ages 12 - senior** — $250
Nonr-esident Adult: ages 12
and older — $500
Resident Senior* **— $15
Resident Disabled Veteran*: 50
percent or more disabled — $10
Resident Totally Disabled*: totally
and permanently disabled — $10
Annual Unified Inland/Coastal
Recreational Fishing License
Resident* — $40
Annual Unified Sportsman/Coastal
Recreational Fishing Licenses
Resident* — $65
Lifetime Unified Sportsman/Coastal
Recreational Fishing Licenses
Infant: younger than one year — $275
Youth: ages 1-11 — $450
Resident Adult*: ages 12- senior** — $675
Non-resident Adult: ages 12
and older — $1550
Resident Senior* ** — $30
Resident Disabled Veteran* — 50
percent or more disabled — $110
Resident Totally Disabled*: Totally
and permanently disabled — $110
Lifetime Unified Inland/Coastal
Recreational Fishing License
Resident Legally Blind — No charge
Resident Adult Care Home — No charge
Exemptions
• N.C. residents serving on full-time
active duty in the military or reserves
outside of the state are exempt
from license requirements while on
leave for fewer than 30 days.
• Those who held a Wildlife Resources
Commission Lifetime Sportsman
License or Lifetime Comprehensive
Fishing License prior to Jan. 1, 2006
are exempt from Coastal Recreational
Fishing License requirements.
• No license is required to fish on
July 4 or for children, ages 0-15.
• Annual Resident Subsistence Waivers
are available at no charge for qualified
individuals through their county
Department of Social Services.
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015 5
Ever catch a tagged fish and
wonder what it’s all about?
Why should you report it?
There are several good reasons. For one,
you may be eligible for a reward. Another
good reason is you can help fisheries biolo-gists
collect the information they need to
understand and assess fish populations.
If you turn in a red tag from a fish released
by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries,
along with all the required information,
you will receive a $100 reward. The tags
are marked on one side: “$100 REWARD”
with a unique tag number. The other side
gives the phone number to call “NCDMF.”
If you turn in a yellow tag with all required
information you may choose from a hat,
$5 or other rewards. The tags are marked
with a unique tag number and the phone
number to call “NCDMF.”
You will also receive a letter and personal-ized
certificate that states where and when
the fish was tagged, the number of days it
was at large and the distance between the
original tagging location and where the fish
was recaptured.
In addition, all those who turn in tags will
be entered into an end-of-year cash drawing.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’
researchers are tagging more than 15,000
striped bass, red drum, southern flounder
and spotted seatrout per year. The
information the division collects through
returned tags helps researchers answer some
very important questions, such as:
• What are the migration patterns of
these fish?
• What kinds of habitat do these fish use?
• What is the population structure of
these stocks?
• What is the fishing mortality rate?
If you’re fishing and you catch a tagged
fish, please cut off the tag and record the
following information:
1. Species
2. Tag number
3. Date
4. Location captured (water body and
nearest landmark or latitude/longitude)
5. Length (total or fork length)
6. Fate of the fish (kept, released alive, etc.)
7. Gear used for capture
Then report the information to 1-800-682-
2632 (in-state only) or 252-726-7021.
Red tags must be cut off and returned to
the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O.
Box 769 Morehead City, N.C. 28557 to
receive the $100 reward.
Helpful Hints
• Cut off the tag, do not pull it out.
• If you are releasing the fish, cut the tag as
close to the body of the fish as possible.
• Record the tag number in case you
misplace the tag before reporting it.
• If the tag has algae growth, do not scrape
the algae off. Scraping the algae can lead
to tag damage that inhibits the division
from recognizing what fish it came from.
If you come across algae growth on
the tag, either send the tag to the N.C.
Division of Marine Fisheries or let the tag
soak in soapy warm water until the algae
comes off.
• Be careful when handling fish you intend
to release. Handle it as little as possible,
using wet hands or wet gloves. Return
the fish to the water quickly to give the
fish the greatest chance of post-release
survival.
• Be alert! Tags are designed to be as
unobtrusive as possible, so they don’t
change the fish’s behavior. That means
that you might not see one if you’re not
looking. Please report all tag and species
information to the N.C. Division of
Marine Fisheries.
• Some fish will have two tags, so check both
sides of the fish and report both tags.
Tag: You’re It!
( A way to help Fisheries’ biologists with their research)
Aging Lab has Bones Coming Out the Ears
Every fish ear bone tells a story, and the N.C. Division of Marine
Fisheries’ aging technicians know how to read it. They take a sliver
of ear bone, mount it to a glass slide and place it under a microscope.
An image pops up on a computer screen and the technician counts
the rings, called annuli, on the ear bone (otolith). The same can be
done with fish scales.
Each ring represents one year of the fish’s life. Both put down a
growth pattern. It is very similar to looking at growth rings on a tree.
The technician can tell the years when a fish has its biggest
growth spurts (usually its first years of life), and with American
shad, he can even tell at what age the fish spawned.
Make no bones about it, this is important work.
The age and maturity data collected by the Aging Lab helps
stock assessment scientists determine the health of fish stocks in
North Carolina.
Otoliths taken from fish at fish houses and fishing tournaments
show the ages generally caught by the commercial and
recreational fishermen.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
6 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015
Highly Migratory Species
Vessel owners or operators who recreationally fish for
regulated Atlantic tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore
and skipjack), sharks, swordfish and billfish must obtain
a Highly Migratory Species Angling category permit or a
Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat Permit from
the National Marine Fisheries Service. This requirement
applies even for those who fish exclusively in state waters.
Highly Migratory Species Permits may be obtained online at
https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/ or by contacting the Highly
Migratory Species customer service representative at 888-
872-8862.
Those who land bluefin tuna, blue marlin, white marlin,
sailfish or swordfish in North Carolina must participate in
a state tagging and reporting procedure that takes the place
of the National Marine Fisheries Service call-in or website
reporting process. Fishermen must stop by one of the Highly
Migratory Species Reporting Stations on their way in from
fishing, fill out a catch card, and receive a landing tag.
The landing tag must be affixed to the fish before it is
removed from the vessel. Captains or operators from
trailered vessels must affix the landing tag before the vessel is
removed from the water.
North Carolina began this reporting program in the mid-
1990s, when recreational fishermen started landing more
bluefin tuna in this state.
The number of bluefin tuna landed was so small that the
state was unable to estimate the landings through its normal
survey process. The state modeled the reporting system after
those that wildlife agencies used for big game.
Later, as regulations on billfish became more restrictive, the
state added blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and swordfish
to the program. Last year, sharks were added to the program
on a voluntary basis.
More information on this reporting system, including a list of reporting
stations, can be found on the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries website at
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf//nmfs-highly-migratory-species-permits.
The Aging Lab also samples otoliths taken from fish caught
when biologists sample the waters.
These samples offer a good picture of the age composition that
is out there and gives the scientists a better understanding of
the dynamics of the population. Understanding the dynamics
of the population and how it responds to fishing pressure
allows for better management decisions to be made.
Otoliths are a calcium carbonate structure, and they are pretty
essential to fish. They sit in a membrane at the base of the skull
and they act as the fish’s inner ear. There are small hairs in the
membrane that the fish uses for balance. The fish also uses the
inner ear to sense vibrations that alert it to predators.
Otoliths are pretty important to those who study fish, as well.
Where scales from different fish can be similar, otoliths are very
distinct. When biologists look at the stomach contents of a fish
to study its diet, they look for the otoliths of the eaten fish,
which take longer to digest than other parts of the meal.
Some of the biggest fish have the smallest otoliths. For instance,
the otolith of a marlin is about the size of a pin head. The
otolith of a red drum is the size of a quarter.
There are two methods of removing otoliths from a fish. The
easier method is to slice the fish’s head off, but at tournaments
and fish markets, it’s better to go in through the gills so that the
fish remains intact.
Most of the otoliths that come to the Aging Lab come from
various division sampling programs with a form that lists the
species, length, weight and sex of the fish.
Aging Lab technicians use a rock cutting saw with a diamond
saw blade to grind to the middle otolith, called the focus. They
use ultraviolet glue to mount the ground side to a glass slide.
Then, they grind in a different direction to the other side of the
focus until it is paper thin and can read through it.
The division has been aging fish since the late 1980s, but
the Aging Lab did not form until 1995. By centralizing the
operation, the division was able to concentrate all its aging
equipment into one place and hire employees who specialize in
this area.
Funded by a federal Sport Fish Restoration Fund grant, Aging
Lab staff age 18 different species, all recreational fish. From
2010 to 2013, the Aging Lab aged 29,890 fish of all ages up to
a 43-year-old red drum.
The Aging Lab also has a Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN)
grant from NOAA Fisheries Service to conduct length and age
sampling of the commercial snapper/grouper fishery.
AGING LAB CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015 7
Coastal Angling Program
Occasionally, while you are fishing
you may be approached by someone
from the N.C. Division of Marine
Fisheries who is carrying a clipboard
and wants to ask you some questions.
This person is conducting an in-person
interview for the division’s Coastal Angling
Program, which includes recreational
fishing survey programs that gather
statistics that are used to help determine
the health of fish populations and what
size and bag limits or seasons are needed.
Division staff go out to boat ramps, to the
beach and piers to ask fishermen where
they fished, how long they fished and
what fish they targeted. They will ask to
weigh and measure the fish caught and
ask what was thrown back. They may also
ask questions about trip expenditures.
The division interviews roughly
20,000 anglers per year during both
day and nighttime hours, at public
and private water access sites.
In addition, the division sends written
questionnaires through the mail to Coastal
Recreational Fishing License holders
throughout the year. The questionnaires
ask for information such as where an
angler fished, how many fish they caught,
and how many fish they threw back.
Anglers can answer this survey by mail
or online at http://ncrecfish.com.
Anglers can also use this web-based
tool to record their individual fishing
trips and monitor their fishing success.
Information from the Coastal Angling
Journal enables the division to better
characterize and assess recreational fisheries.
Give Your Fish Bones
to Science
Fishermen can help the N.C. Division of
Marine Fisheries collect scientific data on the
recreational fishery by donating their cleaned
fish to the Carcass Collection Program.
The program collects carcasses from a
variety of species.
Here’s how it works:
When a fisherman cleans his fish, he
should leave the head and tail intact on
the carcass, and then take it to one of
the division’s freezer locations set up in
different areas of the coast. Instructions
on target species and how to deposit the
carcasses will be posted on the freezer.
Those participating in the program will be
required to provide their name and address
so that the division may recognize their
contributions. Anglers also will be asked to
give information related to when and where
the fish was caught. Rewards will be given
to anglers taking part in the program.
Division biologists will collect the carcasses,
measure the fish, determine the sex, if
possible, and remove the otoliths (ear
bones) to determine the fish’s age. The
information collected will be entered
into a database and used for stock
assessments at the state and federal levels.
Find out more about the Carcass Collection
Program, including what species of fish
are being collected and where to
find a freezer location near you, at
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/.
How to Measure a Fish
Total Length (TL) – The length of a fish as measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.
Fork Length (FL) – The length of a fish as measured from the tip of its snout to the fork of the tail.
Curved Fork Length (CFL) – The length of a fish as measured on a line tracing the contour of the body from the tip of
the upper jaw to the fork of the tail.
Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) – The length of a fish as measured from the tip of its lower jaw to the fork of the tail.
Curved Fork Length
Spanish Mackerel
FFoorrkk LLeennggtthh
Speckled Trout
Length
(Pinch tail together
when measuring)
Total Length
LoLwoewre rJ Jaaww FFoorrkk L Leengntghth
8 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015
The Official 2015 North Carolina
Saltwater Fishing Tournament Minimum Weights
A = Award for live release of fish, regardless of size
B = Award for live release of fish, 24 inches or longer
C = Award for live release of fish, 32 inches or longer
D = Award for live release of fish, 33 inches or longer
E = Award for live release of fish, 34 inches or longer
F = Award for live release of fish, 40 inches or longer
G = Award for live release of fish, 45 inches or longer
H = Award for live release of fish, 50 inches or longer
I = Award for live release of fish, 70 inches or longer
J = Award for live release of fish, 80 inches or longer
The N.C. Division of Marine
Fisheries manages two recreational
fishing tournament programs:
The North Carolina Saltwater Fishing
Tournament, also known as the Citation
Program, recognizes exceptional catches of
North Carolina’s most popular sport fish.
The tournament runs from Jan. 1 to Dec.
31 each year and is open to any angler,
except those who captain or work on a
for-hire vessel or those who sell their fish.
To qualify for a citation, the fish must
be caught on hook-and-line and landed
without the use of electric or hydraulic
equipment. The fish must meet program
size requirements, be weighed at an
official weigh station and then recorded
on an official application form. For
release citations, an angler or mate must
touch the fish or the leader. The angler
and a witness must fill out and sign an
application at an official weigh station.
For a list of weigh stations, see http://
tinyurl.com/officialweighstations.
The North Carolina Governor’s Cup
Billfishing Conservation Series is an
annual sport fishing series operating
cooperatively with eight major
billfish tournaments in the state.
Participating boats or teams earn points
cumulatively throughout the series for
billfish landed or released. Penalty points
are assessed for undersized fish taken.
Trophies are awarded at the conclusion of
the tournament series for the most points
in both the private boat and charter boat
categories. Individual awards are given to
the outstanding junior boy, outstanding
junior girl and lady angler. Additionally,
trophies are awarded for the largest blue
marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dolphin.
Fishing Tournaments
More information about the Governor’s Cup
and Saltwater Fishing tournaments can be
found online at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
recreational-fishing-tournaments.
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015 9
What to do if you catch a sturgeon:
If possible, remove the hook while the
sturgeon remains in the water while the
boat motor is out of gear. If the hook is
swallowed or if it is not safe to remove it,
cut the line as close to the mouth as possible
without causing injury to yourself or the
animal. If a sturgeon is removed from
fishing gear and appears non-responsive,
attempt to resuscitate it by flushing water
over the gills for five to 10 minutes, or swim
the fish by gently moving it through the
water to flush water over the gills. Deeply
ingested hooks (where the insertion point
of the barb is not visible) should not be
removed. For more information on release
of sturgeon, see https://www.nero.noaa.
gov/protected/atlsturgeon/index.html.
What to do if you encounter a stranded
marine mammal: Report stranded
marine mammals to the stranding
coordinator at 252-241-5119 or the N.C.
Marine Patrol at 252-726-7021. Report
entanglements of large whales to the Center
for Coastal Studies at 800-900-3622 or
to the U.S. Coast Guard channel 16.
Bottlenose dolphin (Keith Rittmaster, NC Maritime Museum (MMPA Permit No. 779-1633)
Loggerhead sea turtle (N.C. Aquariuim at Pine Knoll Shores / Sandy Smith)
Protected Species
The Endangered Species Act prohibits
the take of endangered species, including
sea turtles and sturgeons. The Marine
Mammal Protection Act prohibits
the take of marine mammals.
Three species of sea turtles are prevalent in
N.C. waters (loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley and
green) and two species (leatherback and
hawksbill) occur less frequently. Atlantic and
shortnose sturgeon are both found in N.C.
waters, with Atlantic being more common.
There are 36 species of marine mammals
that can inhabit N.C. waters, including
bottlenose dolphin, several species of whales,
harbor porpoises, seals and manatees.
What to do if you catch a sea turtle:
Slow the boat and move towards the turtle.
Once the turtle is alongside the vessel, stop
and put the vessel in neutral. Do not use
sharp objects in direct contact with the
turtle. If you believe the sea turtle is gut
hooked or otherwise injured, contact the
Sea Turtle Stranding Network at 252-
241-7367 or the N.C. Marine Patrol at
252-726-7021. Otherwise, remove the
hook with a de-hooking device while the
turtle remains in the water. If the hook
cannot be removed safely, cut the line as
close to the turtle as possible. For more
information, see pages 1-5 to 1-7 of the
National Marine Fisheries Service sea turtle
release protocols at http://www.sefsc.noaa.
gov/turtles/TM_580_SEFSC_CRP.pdf.
What to do if you catch a sea turtle while
fishing from a pier: Contact the Sea Turtle
Stranding Network at 252-241-7367 or
the N.C. Marine Patrol at 252-726-7021.
While you wait for a response team, keep
your hands away from the turtle’s mouth
and flippers. Use a net or lift the turtle by
the shell to bring it onto the pier or land.
Do not lift the turtle by the hook or by
pulling on the line. If the turtle is too large
to net or lift, try to walk it to shore. When
you have control of the sea turtle, use blunt
scissors or a knife to cut the line, leaving
at least two feet of line to aid rescuers in
dehooking. Leave the hook in place because
removing it could cause more harm. Keep
the turtle out of direct sunlight, and cover
the shell with a damp towel. If you cannot
reach a response team or are unable to
bring the turtle to shore, cut the line as
short as possible to release the turtle.
Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Cobia
Rachycentron canadum
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla
Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
White Marlin
Tetrapturus albidus
Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Summer Flounder
Paralichthys dentatus
Puffer
Sphoeroides maculatus
Spadefish
Chaetodipterus faber
Black Sea Bass
Centropristis striata
Vermilion Snapper
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Gag
Mycteroperca microlepis
Common N.C. Saltwater Fishes
Little Tunny
Euthynnus alletteratus
Black Drum
Pogonias cromis
Red Drum
Sciaenops ocellatus
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solanderi
Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans
Speckled Trout
Cynoscion nebulosus
Sea Mullet
Menticirrhus americanus
Spot
Leiostomus xanthurus
Pigfish
Orthopristis chrysoptera
Croaker
Micropogonias undulatus
Gray Trout
Cynoscion regalis
Southern Flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma
Pinfish
Lagodon rhomboides
Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
Dolphin
Coryphaena hippurus
Red Porgy
Pagrus pagrus
To report fisheries violations, or for
information on rules and regulations call
(252) 726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632.
12 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015
2014 Recreational Size and Bag Limits for N.C. Coastal Waters STATE COASTAL WATERS — (Internal and 0 – 3 miles) FINFISH SPECIES Minimum Length Bag Limits (per person) Seasons Amberjack, Greater 28” FL 1/day
March 1-April 30
Season closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations
Bass, Black Sea
North of Cape Hatteras 12 .5” TL 15/day Open May 15-Sept. 21 and Oct. 22-Dec. 31
South of Cape Hatteras 13” TL 5/day April 1-March 31 Season closes if quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations Bass, Striped Ocean 28” TL 1/day Open year round Roanoke River Management Area
18” TL
Unlawful to possess
between 22”-27” TL
2/day, only one may be larger than
27” TL
March 1- April 30 unless closed by proclamation when quota is
reached.
Albemarle Sound Management Area 18” TL 3/day Open Oct. 1 – April 30 unless closed by proclamation when quota is
reached.
Cape Fear River NO POSSESSION Central Southern Management Area
(All waters other than above)
18” TL and in joint
and inland waters,
unlawful to possess
between 22”-27” TL
2/day Oct.1-April 30
Bluefish None 15/day, only 5 greater than 24” TL Cobia 33” FL 2/day Closes when quota is reached. See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
proclamations Dolphin None 10/day or 60 fish/day/vessel
maximum, whichever is less
Closes when quota is reached. See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
proclamations Drum, Black
14”-25” TL (slot)
1/day > 25” TL may
be kept
10/day
Drum, Red
(channel bass, puppy drum)
18” – 27” TL
(slot)
1/day Eel, American 9” TL 25/day Opens Jan. 1 - Aug. 31 Flounder 15” TL 6/day Seasons and size and bag limits subject to change. Check http://portal.
ncdenr.org/web/mf/ Groupers 3/day in any combination, includ-ing:
Closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations
Black 24” TL 1 black or 1 gag/day Closed Jan. 1-April 30 Blueline tilefish None 1/vessel/day Opens May 1-Aug. 31 Season closes when quota is met Gag 24” TL 1 black or 1 gag/day Closed Jan. 1-April 30 Golden tilefish None 1/day N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015 13
2014 Recreational Size and Bag Limits for N.C. Coastal Waters
EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE-EEZ (3-200 miles) EEZ restrictions noted in italic are federal rules
Minimum Length Bag Limits (per person) Seasons Comments
28” FL 1/day
March 1-April 30
Season closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr. org/web/mf/
proclamations
12.5” TL 15/day
Open May 15-Sept. 21 and Oct. 22-Dec.
31
Regulations subject to change. Contact the Mid-Atlantic Council (603- 674-2331
or http://www.mafmc.org) See N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries website at http://
portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ for up-to-date information.
13” TL 5/day
April 1-March 31. Season closes if quota
is reached. See http://portal ncdenr.org/
web/mf/proclamations
Regulations subject to change. Contact the South Atlantic Council (843- 571-
4366 or http://www.safmc.net) See N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries website at
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ for up-to-date information.
All striped bass landed May 1 - Oct. 31 are required to have a landings tag
affixed through the mouth and gill cover. Landing tags may be obtained at N.C.
Striped Bass Reporting Stations, ocean fishing piers, most tackle shops and from
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Recreational Port Agents. No gigging allowed.
NO POSSESSION
Includes Cape Fear River and all tributaries
None 15/day Regulations subject to change. Check website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
for updates.
33” FL 2/day Closes when quota is reached. See website for details http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations
None
10/day or 60/day/vessel
maximum, whichever is
less
Closes when quota is reached. See website for details http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations
NO POSSESSION
Unlawful to gig, spear or gaff red drum. It is unlawful to use any hook larger
than 4/0 from July 1 through Sept. 30 in the internal coastal fishing waters of
Pamlico Sound and its tributaries south of the Albemarle Sound Management
Area and north of a line beginning at a point 34° 59.7942’ N - 76° 14.6514’ W on
Camp Point; running easterly to a point 34° 58.7853’ N - 76° 09.8922’ W on Core
Banks while using natural bait from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. unless the terminal tackle
consists of: (1) A circle hook defined as a hook with the point of the hook directed
perpendicularly back toward the shank, and with the barb either compressed or
removed; and (2) A fixed sinker not less than two ounces in weight, secured not
more than six inches from the fixed weight to the circle hook. No gigging allowed.
9” TL 25/day Open Jan. 1 - Aug. 31 Eel taken by baited pots allowed in closed season
15” TL 6/day Seasons and size and bag limits subject to change. Check http://portal.ncdenr.
org/web/mf/
3/day, any combination,
including: Closes when quota is reached.* Seasons and size and bag limits subject to change. Contact the South Atlantic
Council (843-571-4366 or http://www.safmc.net) or see the
*N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ for
up-to-date information.
24” TL 1 black or 1 gag/day Closed Jan. 1-April 30
None 1/vessel/day Open May 1 -Aug. 31 Season closes
when quota is met
24” TL 1 black or 1 gag/day Closed Jan. 1-April 30
None 1/day
14 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015
2014 Recreational Size and Bag Limits for N.C. Coastal Waters STATE COASTAL WATERS — (Internal and 0 – 3 miles) FINFISH SPECIES Minimum Length Bag Limits (per person) Seasons Groupers (continued) 3/day in any combination, including: Goliath NO POSSESSION Nassau NO POSSESSION Red grouper 20” TL Closed Jan. 1 - April 30 Sand tilefish None Scamp 20” TL Closed Jan. 1-April 30
Closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations
Snowy None 1/vessel/day Yellowfin 20” TL Closed Jan. 1 - April 30 Yellowmouth 20” TL Closed Jan. 1 - April 30 Herring, Alewife and Blueback NO POSSESSION Hogfish (hog snapper) 12” FL 5/day Mackerel Closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations
King 24” FL 3/day Spanish 12” FL 15/day Marlin Blue 99” LJFL 1 blue or 1 white marlin/vessel/trip White 66” LJFL 1 blue or 1 white marlin/vessel/trip Mullet, striped and white 200/day (species combined)
Red Porgy
(Silver snapper, pinky)
14” TL 3/day Closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations
Reef Complex
Almaco jack, banded rudderfish, gray trig-gerfish,
jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, lesser
amberjack, margate, scup (south of Hatteras),
spadefish, whitebone porgy, white grunt,
yellow jack
20/day in any combination Closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations Sailfish 63” LJFL 1/day Scup (North of Cape Hatteras) 8” TL 50/day Seatrout, spotted
(Spotted seatrout)
14” TL 4/day Shad
American (All waters except as noted
below)
None 10/day of American and hickory shad in any
combination
Cape Fear River and its tributaries None 5/day as part of 10-fish American and hickory
shad aggregate
Albemarle Sound, Roanoke and Neuse rivers
and their tributaries
None 1/day as part of 10-fish American and hickory
shad aggregate
Ocean NO POSSESSION Hickory (all waters) None 10/day of American and hickory shad in any
combination (see American shad limits above)
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015 15
2014 Recreational Size and Bag Limits for N.C. Coastal Waters
EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE-EEZ (3-200 miles) EEZ restrictions noted in italic are federal rules
Minimum Length Bag Limits (per person) Seasons Comments
3/day in any combination
NO POSSESSION
NO POSSESSION
20” TL
Seasons and size and bag limits subject to change. Contact the South
Atlantic Council (843-571-4366 or http://www.safmc.net) or see the N.C.
Division of Marine Fisheries website at http://portal.ncdenr. org/web/mf/
for up-to-date information.
None
20” TL
Closed Jan. 1-April 30
None 1/vessel/day
20” TL Closed Jan. 1 - April 30
20” TL Closed Jan. 1 - April 30
NO POSSESSION
12” FL
Closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr. org/web/
mf/proclamations
Seasons and size and bag limits subject to change. Contact the South
Atlantic Council (843-571-4366 or http://www.safmc.net) or see the N.C.
Division of Marine Fisheries website at http://portal.ncdenr. org/web/mf/
for up-to-date information.
24” FL 3/day
12” FL 15/day
Highly Migratory Species federal permit is required in state or federal
waters. Contact 978-281-9370 or hmspermits.noaa.gov. Prior to removal
from vessel, all billfish must be reported at NC HMS reporting stations.
See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ for details.
99” LJFL State rules apply when
landing
66” LJFL
14” TL 3/day Closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr. org/web/
mf/proclamations
20/day in any combination
Closes when quota is reached.
See http://portal.ncdenr. org/web/
mf/proclamations
Seasons and size and bag limits subject to change. Contact the South
Atlantic Council (843-571-4366 or http://www.safmc.net) or see the N.C.
Division of Marine Fisheries website at http://portal.ncdenr. org/web/mf/
for up-to-date information.
63” LJFL Highly Migratory Species federal permit is required in state or federal
waters. Contact 978-281-9370 or hmspermits.noaa.gov. Prior to removal
from vessel, all billfish must be reported at NC HMS reporting stations.
See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ for details.
9” TL 50/day
14” TL 4/day
NO POSSESSION
NO POSSESSION
NO POSSESSION
NO POSSESSION
None 10/day
16 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015
2014 Recreational Size and Bag Limits for N.C. Coastal Waters STATE COASTAL WATERS — (Internal and 0 – 3 miles) FINFISH SPECIES Minimum
Length
Bag Limits (per person) Seasons Sharks
Blacknose, blacktip, blue, bull,
finetooth, lemon, nurse, oceanic
whitetip, porbeagle, shortfin mako
spinner, thresher, tiger
54” FL
(No size limit on
blacknose and
finetooth)
1/vessel/day in any combination
Great hammerhead, scalloped
hammerhead, smooth hammerhead
78” FL Atlantic sharpnose None 1/vessel/trip in addition to 1/shark/vessel
limit
Bonnethead None 1/vessel/trip in addition to 1/shark/vessel
limit
Dogfish (smooth) None None Dogfish (spiny) None None Snappers
10/day any combination. Closes when quota is reached.See http://portal.ncdenr.org/
web/mf/proclamations Blackfin silk, cubera, dog, gray,
mahogany, queen, silk, yellowtail
12” TL Lane snapper 8” TL Mutton snapper 16” TL Red snapper NO POSSESSION Vermilion snapper 12” TL 5/day in addition to the 10 snapper limit Closes when quota is reached. See http://portal.ncdenr.org/
web/mf/proclamations
Spearfish NO POSSESSION Sturgeon NO POSSESSION Tarpon None 1/day Tuna Albacore, bigeye, skipjack 27” CFL Bluefin See Federal guidelines (at right)
Yellowfin 27” CFL 3/day Wahoo None 2/day Closes when quota is reached. See http://portal.ncdenr. org/
web/mf/proclamations
Weakfish (Gray Trout) 12” TL 1/day Wreckfish None 1/Vessel/Day Open July 1-Aug. 31 Identifying
Mackerels
They can look a lot alike, but the
size limit on king mackerel is twice
the length of Spanish, so you need
to be able to tell them apart.
Both the adult Spanish mackerel and a
juvenile king mackerel have gold spots
on the body.
However, the Spanish mackerel features
a black spot on the first dorsal fin.
Another difference between the fish is
that the king mackerel has a pronounced
dip in the lateral line below the second
dorsal fin. The lateral line on the Spanish
mackerel gently curves to the tail.
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015 17
2014 Recreational Size and Bag Limits for N.C. Coastal Waters
EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE-EEZ (3-200 miles) EEZ restrictions noted in italic are federal rules
Minimum Length Bag Limits (per person) Seasons Comments
54” FL 1/vessel/trip in any
combination
Seasons and bag and size limits subject to change. For more information and to
obtain required federal permit, contact NMFS Highly Migratory Species 978-281-
9370 or http://hmspermits.noaa.gov.
No possession of great hammerhead, scallop hammerhead, smooth hammerhead
or oceanic whitetip while in possession of tunas, billfish or swordfish.
Prohibited species: Atlantic angel, basking, bigeye, bigeye sixgill, bigeye thrasher,
bignose, Caribbean reef, Caribbean sharpnose, dusky, Galápagos, longfin mako,
narrowtooth, night, sand tiger, sandbar, silky, sevengill, sixgill, smalltail, whale,
whites.
78” FL
None 1/vessel/trip
None 1/vessel/trip
None None
None None
Seasons and size and bag limits subject to change. Contact the South Atlantic
Council (843-571-4366 or http://www.safmc.net) or see the N.C. Division of Marine
Fisheries website at http://portal.ncdenr. org/web/mf/ for up-to-date information.
12” TL
10/day any combination.
Closes when quota is reached.See
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
proclamations
8” TL
16” TL
NO POSSESSION
12” TL 5 in addition to the 10
snapper limit
Closes when quota is reached.See
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
proclamations
NO POSSESSION
NO POSSESSION
None 1/day
Highly Migratory Species federal permit is required in state or federal waters.
Contact 978-281-9370 or hmspermits.noaa.gov.Regulations are subject to change.
Contact NMFS Highly Migratory Species Division (800-894-5528 http://www.
orhmspermits.noaa.gov or nmfs. noaa.gov) for up-to-date information.
Prior to removal from vessel, all bluefin tuna must be reported at NC HMS report-ing
stations. See http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ for more details.
27” CFL
27” CFL 3/day
None 2/day Closes when quota is reached.See
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
proclamations
12” TL State rules apply when
landing
None 1/Vessel/Day Open July 1-Aug. 31
18 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015
SHELLFISH
Species Minimum Length Bag Limits (Per Person) Seasons Comments
Blue Crab 5” carapace width
(minimum for males)
50 crabs/day not to exceed 100
crabs/vessel/day
One crab pot may be used without a license from private prop-erty
or private pier. Recreational Commercial Gear License
required otherwise. See maps for open/closed areas at http://
portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/.
Hard Clam 1” thick 100 clams/day not to exceed 200
clams/vessel/day
Oyster 3” shell length 1 bushel/day not to exceed 2
bushels/vessel/day
Opens by proclama-tion
Oct. 15-March 31
(http://portal.ncdenr.
org/web/mf)
Frequent temporary closures due to stormwater runoff and
rainfall apply to all shellfish harvest. Contact the N.C. Division
of Marine Fisheries at 800-682- 2632 or visit http://portal.
ncdenr.org/web/mf/ proclamations for seasons, areas, or other
restrictions.
Bay Scallop None 1 bushel/day not to exceed 1
bushel/vessel/day
Closed unless
opened by proclama-tion.
(http://portal.
ncdenr.org/web/mf/
proclamations)
See maps for permanently open and closed areas at http://
portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/shellfish-closure-maps
Conchs and
Whelks None 10/day not to exceed 20/vessel/
day
Mussels None 100/day not to exceed 200/
vessel/day
Shrimp None
Closed shrimping area — 2
quarts/day (Cast net only)
Open shrimping area — 48
quarts heads on, 30 quarts heads
off (Per person or vessel)*
Recreational Commercial Gear License required for use of a
shrimp trawl, shrimp pound and shrimp pots
*Recreational Commercial Gear License holders may keep
two limits of shrimp, when two or more license holders are
on board a vessel, using commercial gear, while shrimping in
open waters.
See maps for open/closed areas at http://portal.ncdenr. org/
web/mf/maps-to-view-and-print
Stone Crabs 2 3/4” propodus
(forearm) No limit on claws Closed June 15 -
Aug. 15
No possession of crab body; no removal of claw from egg-bearing
crabs; no gigging.
THIS DIGEST IS EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2015 AND IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND HAS NO LEGAL FORCE OR EFFECT. FISHERY RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THESE RESTRICTIONS
APPLY TO FISH TAKEN FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSE AND INCLUDE HOOK AND LINE. Updated State regulations
can be found at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits and updated Recreational Commercial Gear License information can be found at http://portal.ncdenr.org/
web/mf/recreational-commercial-gear-license.
Total length (TL) is measured from tip of snout with mouth closed to top of compressed tail. Fork length (FL) is measured from tip of snout to middle of fork in tail. Lower jaw fork length (LJFL)
is measured from lower jaw to middle of fork in tail. Curved fork length (CFL) is the measurement of the length taken in a line tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the upper jaw to the
fork of the tail.
Anglers cannot catch both a federal and state bag limit for the same species on the same trip.
Ocean boundary is defined as water seaward of the COLREGS Demarcation Lines as indicated on National Ocean Service navigation char ts.
No one may possess aboard a vessel or while engaged in fishing any fish subject to limits without head and tail attached, except for alewife and blueback herring used for bait provided not more
than two fish per boat/operation may be cut at any one time.
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Telephone Directory
Morehead City Office Elizabeth City Office Manteo Office Washington Office Wilmington Office
(24 hours) 800 338-7805 or 252-473-5734 800 338-7804 or 800 248-4536 or
800 682-2632 or 252-264-3911 252-946-6481 910-796-7215
252-726-7021
Federal and State Agency Telephone Directory
Federal Regulations
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): 813-893-3722
State of N.C. — Freshwater Regulations
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC): 800-662-7137
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015 19
Recreational fishing does not always
involve a rod-and-reel. Below is some
information you need to know if you
want to fish with gigs, cast nets or pots.
Gig, Spear and
Crossbow Fishing
Individuals need to hold a Coastal
Recreational Fishing License to gig, spear
or crossbow fish in North Carolina.
Properly licensed recreational fishermen are
allowed to gig or spear any species except
red drum, sharks, spiny lobster, stone crabs,
tarpon or any species that is not in season.
Recreational size and bag limits apply
and sale of catch is prohibited.
Off the Hook
For the most up-to-date recreational size and
bag limits, see http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits.
Crab Fishing
No license is needed to set one pot
per person from a private pier or
shoreline. A private pier or shoreline
means there is no public access and
does not apply to fishing piers where
the public pays for fishing privileges.
No buoy or identification is required.
No license is needed to use collapsible crab
traps as long as the largest open dimension
is no larger than 18 inches and the traps
are designed to collapse at all times when
in the water, except when they are being
retrieved from or lowered to the bottom.
No license is needed for chicken necking
(using a hand line with chicken as bait).
Recreational harvest limits apply
and sale of catch is prohibited.
Cast Nets
There are no regulations limiting the
size of cast nets used in N.C. coastal
waters. A cast net may be used year-round
in all coastal waters of the state.
Those who target finfish with a cast net
need to hold a Coastal Recreational
Fishing License. This includes cast
netting for minnows or other bait fish.
No license or permit is needed to cast net
for shrimp for recreational purposes, but
you need a Coastal Recreational Fishing
License to keep any finfish you catch.
Recreational size and bag limits apply
and sale of catch is prohibited.
Other than the activities described above,
a Recreational Commercial Gear License
is needed to fish for crabs. See page 4 and
http://tinyurl.com/RecreationalCrabFishing
for more information.
20 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2015
111,000 copies of this public digest were printed at a cost of $28,860 or 25.67 cents per copy.
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
3441 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
252.726.7021 | 800.682.2632
January
FISH: Black sea bass, bluefin tuna, bluefish, spotted seatrout (ocean and coastal rivers), striped bass (ocean,
coastal rivers), flounder. SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
February
FISH: American and hickory shad (coastal river tributaries), black sea bass, bluefin tuna, bluefish, spotted
seatrout (ocean and coastal rivers), striped bass (ocean, coastal rivers), flounder.
SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
March
FISH: American and hickory shad (coastal river tributaries), black sea bass, bluefish, bluefin tuna, croaker,
spotted seatrout, striped bass (coastal rivers), wahoo, yellowfin tuna. SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
April
FISH: American shad (coastal rivers), black sea bass, bluefish, bluefin tuna, croaker, gray trout, king
mackerel, red drum, sea mullet, spotted seatrout, striped bass (coastal rivers), wahoo, yellowfin tuna
SHELLFISH: clams
May
FISH: Bluefish, cobia, dolphin, flounder, gray trout, king mackerel, sea mullet, sharks, spotted seatrout
(sounds), striped bass (coastal rivers), yellowfin tuna. SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs
June
FISH: Black sea bass, blue marlin, bluefish, cobia, dolphin, flounder, grouper, king mackerel, sailfish, sharks,
Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout (sounds), tuna, wahoo, white marlin.
SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs
July
FISH: Blue marlin, bluefish, flounder, red drum, dolphin, grouper, sailfish, sea mullet, tarpon (coastal rivers),
Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, tuna, wahoo, white marlin.
SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs, shrimp
August
FISH: Bluefish, dolphin, flounder, grouper, sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, spots, tarpon
(coastal rivers), tuna, wahoo, white marlin. SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs, shrimp
September
FISH: Bluefish, dolphin, false albacore, flounder, gray trout, grouper, king mackerel, red drum, sea mullet,
Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout (ocean and coastal rivers), spot, white marlin, tarpon (coastal rivers).
SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs, shrimp
October
FISH: Bluefish, false albacore, gray trout, grouper, king mackerel, red drum, sea mullet, flounder, spotted
seatrout (ocean and coastal rivers), spots, striped bass (coastal rivers), wahoo, yellowfin tuna.
SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
November
FISH: Bluefish, false albacore, flounder, grouper, king mackerel, sea mullet, sharks, spotted Seatrout (ocean
and coastal rivers), striped bass (coastal rivers), yellowfin tuna. SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
December
FISH: Bluefin tuna, bluefish, false albacore, grouper, black sea bass, spotted seatrout (ocean and coastal
rivers), sharks, striped bass (ocean and coastal rivers). SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
North Carolina Fishing — What’s Hot and When
Bluefish
Summer Flounder
Spanish Mackerel
Dolphin (mahi mahi)
Spotted Seatrout
Black Sea Bass
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