From the mountain tops to the ocean blues North Carolina promises a good catch. With thousands of acres worth of lakes, such as the beautiful Lake Tomahawk Park and Lake Norman, North Carolina is a perfect spot to fish, but if you’re not properly informed on fishing licenses it could go downhill fast.

North Carolina Fishing Regulations

  • The State of North Carolina states:
  • Purchasing and selling inland game fish is unlawful, unless from and by licensed commercial trout ponds and fish propagators
  • Game fish can be taken only with a hook and line ( please note there are more specifics in how you obtain and take your fish)
  • Fishermen may not continue to fish for species once their daily limit for that species has been reached
  • Daily limit by species:
    • Trout are limited to 4/day
    • Most Bass are limited to 5/day
    • Crappie are limited to 20/day
    • Walleye are limited to 8/day

Fishing License Period

North Carolina fishing licenses are available as:

  • 1-day fishing licenses (with the ability to add a day if needed)
  • Annual fishing licenses
  • 3-Year fishing licenses
  • Lifetime fishing licenses

Extra Licensing Fees

North Carolina requires a special license for trout fishing.

Free or Reduced Fee North Carolina Fishing Licenses

The State of North Carolina offers free fishing licenses or reduced fishing licenses for :

    • Residents who are legally blind
    • Residents in an adult care home
    • Residents who are disabled veterans
    • Residents who are totally disabled

North Carolina Fishing Licenses are NOT Required For

While some states offer certain groups the ability to fish without a license, North Carolina has no such policy. 

Buy a North Carolina Fishing License