North Carolina Salt Water Fishing Rules
- North Carolina allows coastal fishing with some requirements and limitations.North Carolina state contour against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
North Carolina's Division of Marine Fisheries maintains a list of rules and regulations pertaining to fishing in the coastal waters of the state. The rules are enforced to monitor populations along with safety features for the species of fish which reside in these waters. North Carolina possesses 2,500,000 acres of estuarine and marine waters, along with over 4,000 miles of shoreline for fishing of all skill types. - Many species of these waters are under certain bag and size limits. The limits may change depending on the season or whether you caught the species in state or the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Bag limits vary for different species and range from a limit of one per day, as in the greater amberjack, to 50 per day, as in the case of the American Eel.
- North Carolina requires a recreational fishing license for fishermen fishing in the coastal waters, tributaries or other inland waters. These licenses cover areas from zero to three miles off the coast. Licenses range from 10-day to lifetime and are available for purchase at several Wildlife Resources Commission agents throughout the state. The recreational license allows fishermen to take finfish for personal consumption.
Recreational Commercial Gear Licenses allow recreational fishermen to use commercial fishing gear in limited amounts. Recreational limits apply to the RCGL. RCGLs are available through the Division of Marine Fisheries Department (DMF). A variety of other licenses exist for commercial fishermen, commercial fishing vessels and ocean pier fishing. - Recreational fishing adheres to specific bag and size limits. Fishermen cannot sell fish harvested under a recreational fishing license. When applying for a commercial fishing license, there are a number of eligibility requirements you must meet prior to obtaining and using your license. Requirements include significant commercial fishing experience.
