Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
North Carolina
State, United States. Authority : North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- US$56Nonresident State Inland Fishing
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 106.7 cmMuskellunge
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 106.7 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Oxford fabric rod bagFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · carp fishing with a hair rig
€55.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Floating Feathered-Hook Lures 7.5 cm, Pack of 9For : european perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€35.90£21.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Closed March 1 - April 2, 2027; open Aug. 1, 2026 - Feb. 28, 2027 and April 3 - July 31, 2027; 7 fish daily, no size limit
4 fish daily, 7-inch minimum
statewide rules are size/creel only
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–110 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass2 statewide 14-inch minimum, except 2 may be less than 14 inches | 35.6 cm | |
| Smallmouth bass2 statewide 14-inch minimum, except 2 may be less than 14 inches | 35.6 cm | |
| Sauger2 all public fishing waters | 38.1 cm | |
| Muskellunge2 statewide | 106.7 cm | |
| Wild trout3 Wild Trout Waters | 17.8 cm |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 106.7 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth)2 including only 2 less than 14 inches; spotted and Alabama bass: no size or creel limit | 5 per day |
| Walleye2 statewide, no minimum size (waterbody exceptions apply) | 8 per day |
| Sauger2 15-inch minimum | 8 per day |
| Muskellunge2 42-inch minimum | 1 per day |
| Trout (Hatchery Supported waters)3 no size limit; Wild Trout Waters 4 per day | 7 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident State Inland Fishing License (includes Public Mountain Trout Waters privilege)1 | 12 months from date of purchase | US$32 |
| Resident State Inland Fishing1 | annual (12 months) | US$32 |
| Resident Unified Inland/Coastal Recreational Fishing1 | annual (12 months) | US$51 |
| Resident Inland Fishing 10-Day1 | 10-day | US$12 |
| Resident Senior Lifetime (license listed as Senior Lifetime)1 | lifetime | US$20 |
| Nonresident State Inland Fishing1 | annual (12 months) | US$56 |
| Nonresident Inland Fishing 10-Day1 | 10-day | US$29 |
| Resident Coastal Recreational Fishing (saltwater, for reference)1 | annual | US$20 |
Buy the licence on license.gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com
- Ages and exemptions4
- Individuals 16 years of age and older must possess a valid North Carolina fishing license; youth under age 16 are exempt from any fishing license and trout privilege license requirement.
Good to know
Inland vs coastal vs joint waters with separate licenses; the Unified license covers inland + coastal (residents only). Mountain trout waters classified (Hatchery Supported, Wild, Delayed Harvest, etc.) with the Hatchery Supported closure in March. Many reservoir-specific bass/walleye exceptions. Northern pike: no statewide rule listed.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- no 1-day inland fishing license listed (shortest is 10-day)
- nonresident youth pricing not listed
- senior entry is a lifetime license; eligibility age not captured
- northern pike: no statewide regulation listed
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Kerr Lake reservoir, Vance, Warren Counties View on the map
- Lake Gaston reservoir, Warren County View on the map
- Jordan Lake reservoir, Chatham County View on the map
- Falls Lake reservoir, Wake County View on the map
- Lake Norman reservoir, Catawba, Iredell Counties View on the map
- Badin Lake reservoir, Montgomery, Stanly Counties View on the map
- Lake James reservoir, Mcdowell County View on the map
- Chatuge Lake reservoir, Clay County View on the map
- Nantahala Lake reservoir, Macon County View on the map
- Lake Julian lake, Buncombe County View on the map
- Davidson River river, Transylvania County View on the map
- Roanoke River river, Bertie, Halifax, Martin Counties View on the map
- Cape Fear River river, Bladen County View on the map
- Tuckasegee River river, Jackson, Swain Counties View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in North Carolina in 2026?
The “Nonresident State Inland Fishing” licence costs US$56 (annual (12 months)). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in North Carolina?
Muskellunge: 106.7 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- NCWRC 2026 Regulations Digest - Fishing Licenses (linked from ncwildlife.gov) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NCWRC 2026 Regulations Digest - Warm Water Game Fish Regulations (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NCWRC 2026 Regulations Digest - General Mountain Trout Regulations (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NCWRC - License Types and Fees (age exemption) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- www.eregulations.com/northcarolina/fishing
Last checked : 23 September 2026.