2026 regulation year
North Carolina Fishing Regulations 2026 — License Fees, Seasons, Bag Limits
Last updated
North Carolina splits inland (NCWRC) and coastal (NC Division of Marine Fisheries) waters under separate licences. Inland fishing licences run for 12 months from purchase; a Coastal Recreational Fishing Licence is required for saltwater. Many species overlap into the joint-waters zone, where rules of both agencies apply.
License fees
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident annual inland | $25.00 | |
| Resident annual coastal | $16.00 | |
| Resident unified inland + coastal | $41.00 | |
| Resident 10-day inland | $9.00 | |
| Resident senior (70+) lifetime inland | $16.00 | |
| Resident disabled veteran lifetime | Free | Free — eligibility required |
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident annual inland | $45.00 | |
| Non-resident annual coastal | $32.00 | |
| Non-resident unified inland + coastal | $75.00 | |
| Non-resident 10-day inland | $23.00 | |
| Non-resident 10-day coastal | $11.00 |
Buy directly from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Fees may include processing surcharges at point of sale.
Top species — season, bag, size
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Size / slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | Open year-round | 1 / day | Slot 18–27 in |
| Striped bass | Inland waters and coastal vary; many areas catch-and-release only | Closed in most inland waters; coastal special-reg | Size + slot vary by zone; most C&R only |
| Largemouth bass | Open year-round | 5 / day (most inland waters) | 14 in minimum statewide on most waters |
| Spotted seatrout | Open year-round (subject to in-season closures) | 4 / day | 14 in minimum |
| Flounder (summer + southern) | Short open window in fall; closed otherwise | 1 / day during open window | 15 in minimum |
Notable water-body special regulations
Red drum + spotted seatrout primary water; coastal licence required
Joint waters: striped bass C&R only; inland + coastal licence both required
Striped bass: special season + slot; emergency in-season changes common
Coastal licence; red drum 1 / day slot; trophy red drum tagged in fall
Official source
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is the authoritative source for North Carolina fishing regulations. Always verify rules before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override published booklets.