Fishing License Requirements North Carolina

North carolina offers some great fishing opportunities.
Fishing license requirements north carolina. Resident individuals 16 years of age or older using any type of bait or gear to catch finfish while fishing in north caro lina s public waters. Purchase your hunting trapping or fishing license here. By purchasing a license or permit you help sustain north carolina s wildlife heritage and safeguard the future of fish and wildlife in north carolina for generations to come. Anglers should know the current marine fisheries regulations including size and creel limits.
All licensed hunters hunt ing migratory game birds doves rails woodcocks gallinule snipes or water fowl in north carolina are required to have a certificate of par ticipation in the federal harvest information program hip. An individual does not need a license for charter boat and pier fishing which are covered by a blanket license. The north carolina wildlife resources commission offers various licenses and permits that authorize regulated activities such as hunting fishing and trapping. A coastal recreational fishing license is required to fish on the outer banks.
Anyone assisting a minor with fishing must also carry a permit at all times. Recreational fishing in joint waters areas managed by both the marine fisheries and the wildlife resources commissions will also require either the crfl or a wrc inland fishing license. When fishing any public water every angler over 16 must carry a north carolina fishing license. This site provides information about the licenses permits.
The only exceptions to these waters are private ponds on privately owned land. Locate contact information for state agencies employees hotlines local offices and more. Specifically the following individuals are required to possess a fishing license before fishing in north carolina. If you are a resident or visitor to the state please review the links below to ensure that you understand the rules regulations and other guidelines.
All people age 16 years and older are required to have a valid fishing license to fish in north carolina waters. The following fishing regulations are effective august 1 2020 to july 31 2021. The license is required to recreationally take finfish in the coastal fishing waters as defined by n c g s.