15A NCAC 10C .0316      Mountain Trout

(a)  Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters.

(1)           The daily creel limit for trout is seven fish.

(2)           There is no minimum size limit.

(3)           The open season is from 7 a.m. on the first Saturday in April until March 1, except in the reservoirs identified in 15A NCAC 10C .0205 where trout may be taken year-round.

(b)  Wild Trout Waters.

(1)           The daily creel limit for trout is four fish.

(2)           The minimum size limit is seven inches.

(3)           There is no closed season.

(c)  Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters. No trout shall be harvested or possessed while fishing these waters.

(d)  Delayed Harvest Trout Waters.

(1)           From October 1 to one-half hour after sunset on the Friday before the first Saturday in June, trout shall not be harvested or possessed while fishing these waters.

(2)           Only individuals under 16 years of age may fish from 6:00 a.m. on the first Saturday in June until 12:00 p.m. that same day.

(A)          The daily creel limit for trout is seven fish.

(B)          There is no minimum size limit.

(3)           The open season is from 12:00 p.m. on the first Saturday in June until September 30.

(A)          The daily creel limit for trout is seven fish.

(B)          There is no minimum size limit.

(e)  Special Regulation Trout Waters.

(1)           Apalachia Reservoir (Cherokee County)

(A)          The daily creel limit for trout is three fish.

(B)          There is no minimum size limit, but only one may be greater than 14 inches.

(C)          There is no closed season.

(2)           Catawba River (Burke County) from Muddy Creek to the City of Morganton water intake dam

(A)          The daily creel limit for trout is two fish.

(B)          The minimum size limit is 14 inches.

(C)          There is no closed season.

(f)  Undesignated Waters.

(1)           The daily creel limit for trout is seven fish.

(2)           There is no minimum size limit.

(3)           There is no closed season.

(g)  Trout water classifications and manners of take are set forth in 15A NCAC 10C .0205.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292;

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2018; August 1, 2017; August 1, 2015;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2026; June 1, 2025; August 1, 2024; August 1, 2021; August 1, 2020.