Inland Fishing Regulations AND INFORMATION
Regulations for Mountain Trout Brook, brown and rainbow trout require cold, clean water and are therefore generally restricted to mountain streams and lakes. Those mountain waters that support trout and are open to public fishing are designated as “Public Mountain Trout Waters” by the Wildlife Resources Com- mission and are managed for public trout fishing. A significant number of trout fishing opportunities in western North Carolina are located on private property. These landowners have generously allowed public access for fishing. Please respect their property. Your cooperation is needed to protect fishing opportunities for future generations. The Commission conspicuously marks Public Mountain Trout Waters with regulation signs that indicate locations for public access. When anglers encounter “posted against trespass” signs along these designated sections on private lands, they should respect the property owner’s rights and choose another location along that stream to fish. Maps of trout water and their classifications may be viewed at ncwildlife.org .
MOUNTAIN TROUT LOCATION/SEASON
SIZE LIMIT DAILY CREEL LIMIT* LURES/BAIT RESTRICTIONS*
NCWRC PUBLIC MOUNTAIN TROUT WATER NO LURE RESTRICTIONS
HATCHERY SUPPORTED TROUT WATERS Aug. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 7 a.m. April 5, 2025 – July 31, 2025 • All Hatchery Supported Trout Waters not listed below March 1, 2025 – April 4, 2025 **No fishing allowed • All Hatchery Supported Trout Waters not listed below No closed season • Linville River and tributaries within Linville Gorge Wil- derness Area • Power reservoirs and municipal water supply reservoirs DELAYED HARVEST TROUT WATERS Oct. 1, 2024 – June 6, 2025 **No trout may be possessed **No fishing allowed from ½ hour after sunset on June 6, 2025, to 6 a.m. on June 7, 2025 Aug. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2024 June 7, 2025 – July 31, 2025 (Note: youth under 18 years old only fishing from 6 a.m. until noon on June 7, 2025)
HATCHERY SUPPORTED MINIMUM SIZE - NONE DAILY LIMIT - 7 FISH SEASON - FIRST SATURDAY IN APRIL TO LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY
None
7
None
**
**
**
None
7
None
DELAYED HARVEST NCWRC PUBLIC MOUNTAIN TROUT WATER
OCTOBER 1 TO FOLLOWING FIRST SATURDAY IN JUNE ONLY SINGLE HOOK ARTIFICIAL LURES NO TROUT MAY BE POSSESSED ALL OTHER TIMES: HATCHERY SUPPORTED
REGULATIONS APPLY ONLY ANGLERS UNDER AGE 1 8 6 A.M. ─ 12 P.M. ON FIRST SATURDAY IN JUNE
Artificial lures with a single hook. Natural bait may not be possessed. **
**
**
None
7
None
NCWRC PUBLIC MOUNTAIN TROUT WATER SINGLE HOOK ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY
WILD TROUT WATERS No closed season
WILD MINIMUM SIZE - 7 INCHES DAILY LIMIT - 4 FISH NO CLOSED SEASON
7 inches
4
Artificial lures with a single hook.
CATCH AND RELEASE NO TROUT MAY BE HARVESTED OR POSSESSED NO CLOSED SEASON NCWRC PUBLIC MOUNTAIN TROUT WATER SINGLE HOOK ARTIFICIAL FLIES ONLY
CATCH AND RELEASE / ARTIFICIAL FLIES AND LURES ONLY TROUT WATERS No closed season **No trout may be possessed **
Artificial flies and lures with a single hook. Natural bait may not be possessed.
**
NCWRC PUBLIC MOUNTAIN TROUT WATER NO LURE RESTRICTIONS
SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT WATERS No closed season • Catawba River from Muddy Creek to Morganton water intake dam
SPECIAL TROUT REGULATION MINIMUM SIZE – NONE ONLY 1 TROUT OVER 14 INCHES
DAILY LIMIT – 7 TROUT NO CLOSED SEASON
14 inches
2
None
None but only one trout may be greater than 14 inches
3 including only one trout greater than 14 inches
• Apalachia Reservoir
None
UNDESIGNATED TROUT WATERS No closed season
None
7
None
* See page 33 for a definition of artificial lure and natural bait
32 2024–2025
Please note: Major regulation changes appear in RED
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