SUBCHAPTER 10C ‑ INLAND FISHING REGULATIONS

SECTION .0100 ‑ JURISDICTION OF AGENCIES: CLASSIFICATION OF WATERS

15A NCAC 10C .0101 SCOPE AND PURPOSE

The following rules pertain to the classification of the waters of North Carolina as coastal fishing waters, inland fishing waters, and joint fishing waters. These rules are adopted jointly by the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission. In addition to the classification of the waters of the State, these joint rules set forth guidelines to determine which fishing activities in joint fishing waters are regulated by the Marine Fisheries Commission and which are regulated by the Wildlife Resources Commission. Finally, the joint rules set forth special fishing regulations applicable in joint fishing waters that can be enforced by officers of the Division of Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources Commission. These regulations do not affect the jurisdiction of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission in any matters other than those specifically set out.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-132; 113‑134; 113‑136;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. January 1, 1977;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0102 INLAND FISHING WATERS

Inland fishing waters are all inland waters except private ponds and all waters connecting with or tributary to coastal sounds or the ocean extending inland from the dividing line between coastal fishing waters and inland fishing waters agreed upon by the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission. All waters that are tributary to inland fishing waters and that are not otherwise designated by agreement between the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission are inland fishing waters. The regulation and licensing of fishing in inland fishing waters is under the jurisdiction of the Wildlife Resources Commission. Regulations and laws administered by the Wildlife Resources Commission regarding fishing in inland fishing waters are enforced by wildlife officers.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑129; 113‑132; 113‑134;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. January 1, 1977;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0103 COASTAL FISHING WATERS

Coastal fishing waters are the Atlantic Ocean, the various coastal sounds, and estuarine waters up to the dividing line between coastal fishing waters and inland fishing waters agreed upon by the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission. All waters that are tributary to coastal fishing waters that are not otherwise designated by agreement between the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission are coastal fishing waters. The regulation and licensing of fishing in coastal fishing waters is under the jurisdiction of the Marine Fisheries Commission; except that inland game fish exclusive of spotted seatrout, red drum, flounder, white perch, yellow perch, weakfish, and striped bass are subject to regulations by the Wildlife Resources Commission in coastal fishing waters. Regulations and laws administered by the Marine Fisheries Commission regarding fishing in coastal fishing waters are enforced by marine fisheries inspectors. Regulations regarding inland game fish in coastal fishing waters are enforced by wildlife officers, unless otherwise agreed to by the Wildlife Resources Commission.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑129; 113‑132; 113‑134; 113‑292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1991; January 1, 1977;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0104 JOINT FISHING WATERS

Joint fishing waters are those coastal fishing waters, denominated by agreement of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission pursuant to G.S. 113‑132(e) as joint fishing waters. All waters that are tributary to joint fishing waters and not otherwise designated by agreement between the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission are classified as joint fishing waters.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134; 113‑292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. January 1, 1977;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0105 POSTING DIVIDING LINES

The dividing lines of all major bodies of water and watercourses which are divided by the agreement of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission so that portions of the same are constituted inland fishing waters, coastal fishing waters, or joint fishing waters shall be marked with signs insofar as may be practicable. Unmarked and undesignated tributaries shall have the same classification as the designated waters to which they connect or into which they flow. No unauthorized removal or relocation of any such marker shall have the effect of changing the classification of any body of water or portion thereof, nor shall any such unauthorized removal or relocation or the absence of any marker affect the applicability of any regulations pertaining to any such body of water or portion thereof.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134;

Eff. January 1, 1977;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0106 APPLICABILITY OF rules: JOINT Fishing WATERS

(a) All coastal fishing laws and regulations administered by the Department of Environmental Quality and the Marine Fisheries Commission apply to joint fishing waters except as otherwise provided in this Section and shall be enforced by marine fisheries inspectors.

(b) The following inland fishing laws and regulations administered by the Wildlife Resources Commission apply to joint fishing waters and shall be enforced by wildlife officers:

(1) all laws and regulations pertaining to inland game fishes;

(2) all laws and regulations pertaining to inland fishing license requirements for hook and line fishing; and

(3) all laws and regulations pertaining to hook and line fishing except as hereinafter provided.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134; 113‑271; 113‑275; 113-182; 113‑292; 113-333;

Eff. January 1, 1977;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1990; April 15, 1979;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0107 SPECIAL REGULATIONS: JOINT FISHING WATERS

The following shall supersede any inconsistent rules of the Marine Fisheries Commission or the Wildlife Resources Commission that would otherwise be applicable in joint fishing waters under the provisions of 15A NCAC 10C .0106:

(1) Striped Bass

(a) It is unlawful to possess any striped bass or striped bass hybrid that is less than 18 inches total length.

(b) It is unlawful to possess striped bass or striped bass hybrids between 22 and 27 inches total length in joint fishing waters of the Central Southern Management Area as designated in 15A NCAC 03R .0201.

(c) It is unlawful to possess striped bass or striped bass hybrids May through September in the joint fishing waters of the Central Southern Management Area and the Albemarle Sound Management Area.

(d) It is unlawful to possess striped bass or striped bass hybrids taken from the joint fishing waters of the Cape Fear River.

(e) It is unlawful to possess more than one daily creel limit of striped bass or striped bass hybrids, in the aggregate, per person per day, regardless of the number of management areas fished.

(f) Possession of fish shall be assessed for the creel and size limits of the management area in which the individual is found to be fishing, regardless of the size or creel limits for other management areas visited by that individual in a given day.

(g) It is unlawful to engage in net fishing for striped bass or their hybrids in joint fishing waters except as authorized by rules of the Marine Fisheries Commission as set forth in 15A NCAC 03M .0201, .0202, .0204, .0205, and .0512.

(2) Lake Mattamuskeet

(a) It is unlawful to set or attempt to set any gill net in Lake Mattamuskeet canals designated as joint fishing waters.

(b) It is unlawful to use or attempt to use any trawl net or seines in Lake Mattamuskeet canals designated as joint fishing waters.

(3) Cape Fear River. It is unlawful to use or attempt to use any net, net stakes, or electrical fishing device within 800 feet of the dam at Lock No. 1 on the Cape Fear River.

(4) Shad: It is unlawful to possess more than 10 American shad or hickory shad, in the aggregate, per person per day taken by hook-and-line.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134; 113‑138; 113-182; 113‑292;

Eff. January 1, 1977;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2008; May 1, 2005; August 1, 2000; July 1, 1993; November 1, 1991; January 1, 1991; August 1, 1985;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0108 SPECIFIC CLASSIFICATION OF WATERS

The several sounds and estuarine and tributary waters all or portions of which are specifically classified as inland, joint, or coastal fishing waters by agreement of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission are listed in the regulations of the Marine Fisheries Commission under 15A NCAC 3Q .0200 and such list and classification is incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑129; 113‑132; 113‑134;

Eff. January 1, 1977;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1993; January 1, 1981; January 1, 1978;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0109 PROTECTION OF SEA TURTLES

Pursuant to a cooperative agreement entered into on the fifth day of February 1979, by the Department of Environmental Quality, the Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Wildlife Resources Commission, the Wildlife Resources Commission shall exercise regulatory jurisdiction over any species of sea turtles, and their eggs and nests, consistent with designation of such species as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As provided by said agreement, the law enforcement officers of both the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission shall have jurisdiction to enforce any state laws and regulations, including those contained in 15A NCAC 10I, relating to endangered or threatened species of sea turtles and their eggs and nests.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134; 113‑138; 113‑181; 113‑182; 113‑224; 113‑305;

Eff. April 29, 1979;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1990;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0110 MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ESTUARINE STRIPED BASS IN JOINT FISHING WATERS

(a) The management areas for estuarine striped bass fisheries in coastal North Carolina are designated in 15A NCAC 03R .0201.

(b) In order to effectively manage the recreational hook and line harvest in joint fishing waters of the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River stock of striped bass, the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission deem it necessary to establish two management areas: the Albemarle Sound Management Area and the Roanoke River Management Area as designated in 15A NCAC 03R .0201. The Wildlife Resources Commission shall have principal management responsibility for the stock when it is in the joint and inland fishing waters of the Roanoke River Management Area. The Marine Fisheries Commission shall have principal management responsibility for the stock in the coastal, joint, and inland fishing waters of the Albemarle Sound Management Area. The annual quota for recreational harvest of the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River striped bass stock shall be divided equally between the two management areas. Each Commission shall implement management actions for recreational harvest within their respective management areas that shall be consistent with the North Carolina Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134; 113‑138; 113-182; 113‑292;

Eff. January 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0111 IMPLEMENTATION OF ESTUARINE STRIPED BASS MANAGEMENT PLANS: RECREATIONAL FISHING

The Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Resources Commissions shall implement their respective striped bass management plans for recreational fishing pursuant to their respective rulemaking powers. To preserve jurisdictional authority of each Commission, the following means are established through which management measures can be implemented by a single instrument in the following management areas:

(1) In the Roanoke River Management Area, the exclusive authority to open and close seasons and areas and establish size and creel limits, whether inland or joint fishing waters, shall be vested in the Wildlife Resources Commission. An instrument closing any management area in joint fishing waters shall operate as a jointly-issued instrument opening or closing seasons or areas to harvest in the Roanoke River Management Area.

(2) In the Albemarle Sound Management Area, the exclusive authority to open and close seasons and areas and establish size and creel limits, whether coastal or joint fishing waters, shall be vested in the Marine Fisheries Commission. The season shall close by Marine Fisheries Commission proclamation if the quota is about to be exceeded. In the Albemarle Sound Management Area administered by the Marine Fisheries Commission, a proclamation affecting the harvest in joint and coastal fishing waters, excluding the Roanoke River Management Area, shall automatically be implemented and effective as a Wildlife Resources Commission action in the inland fishing waters and tributaries to the waters affected.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134; 113‑138; 113‑292;

Eff. January 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.

SECTION .0200 ‑ GENERAL REGULATIONS

15A NCAC 10C .0201 IDENTIFICATION

An individual shall have means of identification on their person indicating their current residence while fishing.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑276.1;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Readopted Eff. February 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0202 FISHING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

15A NCAC 10C .0203 RECIPROCAL LICENSE AGREEMENTS

(a) Virginia. In accordance with a reciprocal license agreement between the States of North Carolina and Virginia, all valid fishing licenses and permits legally obtained from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources or the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, or the duly authorized agents of either, shall be reciprocally honored for the purpose of fishing with rod and reel, or hook and line, in the following waters:

(1) Portions of New River:

(A) between the confluence of the North and South fork of the New River in Allegheny County North Carolina; and

(B) confluence of New and Little Rivers in Grayson County Virginia.

(2) Dan River east of the Union Street Dam at Danville;

(3) Staunton River arm of Kerr Reservoir East of the mouth of Difficult Creek;

(4) Kerr Reservoir;

(5) Lake Gaston; and

(6) all tributary waters in either Virginia or North Carolina that are accessible by boat from the main bodies of the Kerr and Gaston Reservoirs, from the Island Creek subimpoundment.

(b) Georgia. In accordance with a reciprocal license agreement between the States of North Carolina and Georgia, all valid fishing licenses and permits legally obtained from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, or duly authorized agents of either, shall be reciprocally honored for the purposes of fishing with hook and line in all of Chatuge Reservoir including all tributary waters lying in either Georgia or North Carolina that are accessible by boat from the main body of Chatuge Reservoir. All persons fishing in the waters of Chatuge Reservoir beyond the bounds of the state from which they hold a valid fishing license, shall be authorized to fish with said license only from boats not anchored to the shore or to a pier or boat dock connecting to the shore. Senior citizen and juvenile license exemptions authorized by either state shall be honored by both states.

(c) Tennessee. In accordance with a reciprocal license agreement between the States of North Carolina and Tennessee, all valid inland fishing licenses and permits obtained from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, or the duly authorized agents of either, shall be reciprocally honored for the purpose of fishing with rod and reel, or hook in line in the following waters:

(1) The portion of Slick Rock Creek that coincides with the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee; and

(2) Calderwood Reservoir.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-275; 113-304;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2017; August 1, 2014; July 1, 1998; July 1, 1995; July 1, 1991;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0204 DRAINING IMPOUNDED PUBLIC WATERS

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑274;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

15A NCAC 10C .0205 PUBLIC MOUNTAIN TROUT WATERS

(a) For purposes of this Rule, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Natural bait" means a living or dead plant or animal, or parts thereof, or prepared substances designed to attract fish by the sense of taste or smell.

(2) "Single hook" means a fish hook with only one point.

(3) "Artificial lure" means a fishing lure that neither contains nor has been treated by a substance that attracts fish by the sense of taste or smell.

(4) "Artificial fly" means one single hook dressed with feathers, hair, thread, tinsel, rubber, or a similar material to which no additional hook, spinner, spoon, or similar device is added.

(5) "Youth anglers" are individuals under 18 years of age.

(b) For purposes of this Rule, 15A NCAC 10C .0316, and 15A NCAC 10D .0104, the following classifications apply:

(1) "Public Mountain Trout Waters" are the waters included in this Rule and those designated in 15A NCAC 10D .0104.

(2) "Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters" are Public Mountain Trout Waters where only artificial flies and lures having one single hook may be used. No trout may be possessed or harvested while fishing these streams. Waters with this designation include tributaries unless otherwise noted.

(3) "Delayed Harvest Trout Waters" are Public Mountain Trout Waters where between October 1 and one-half hour after sunset on the Friday before the first Saturday of the following June, it is unlawful to possess natural bait, use more than one single hook on an artificial lure, or harvest or possess trout while fishing. From 6:00 a.m. until noon on the first Saturday in June, only youth anglers may fish and these waters have no bait or lure restrictions. From noon on the first Saturday in June until October 1, anglers may fish these waters with no bait or lure restrictions. Waters with this designation do not include tributaries unless otherwise noted.

(4) "Hatchery Supported Trout Waters" are Public Mountain Trout Waters that have no bait or lure restrictions. Waters with this designation do not include tributaries unless otherwise noted.

(5) "Special Regulation Trout Waters" are Public Mountain Trout Waters where watercourse-specific regulations apply. Waters with this designation do not include tributaries unless otherwise noted.

(6) "Wild Trout Waters" are Public Mountain Trout Waters identified in this Rule or 15A NCAC 10D .0104. Only artificial lures having only one single hook may be used. No person shall possess natural bait while fishing these waters. Waters with this designation do not include tributaries unless otherwise noted.

(7) "Undesignated Waters" are the other waters in the State. These waters have no bait or lure restrictions.

(c) Seasons, creel, and size limits. Seasons, creel, and size limits for trout are listed in Rule .0316 of this Subchapter.

(d) Classifications. This Paragraph designates waters in each county that have a specific classification. Waters on game lands are designated in 15A NCAC 10D .0104, unless otherwise indicated in this Paragraph. The other waters are classified as Undesignated Waters.

(1) Alleghany

(A) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Big Pine Creek

Bledsoe Creek

Brush Creek from the N.C. 21 bridge to the confluence with the Little River, except where posted against trespassing

Cranberry Creek

Glade Creek

Little River from 400 yards upstream of the S.R. 1128 bridge, marked by a sign on each bank, to McCann Dam

Meadow Fork

Pine Swamp Creek

Piney Fork

Prathers Creek

(B) Wild Trout Waters are as follows:

The waters located on Stone Mountain State Park

(2) Ashe County

(A) Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters are as follows:

Big Horse Creek from the Virginia state line to Mud Creek at S.R. 1363, excluding tributaries

(B) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Big Horse Creek from the S.R. 1324 bridge to the North Fork New River

Helton Creek from 900 yards upstream of the S.R. 1372 bridge, marked by a sign on both banks to a point adjacent to intersection of N.C. 16 and S.R. 1536

South Fork New River from the upstream end of Todd Island to the S.R. 1351 bridge

Trout Lake

Beaver Creek from N.C. 221 to the confluence of Beaver Creek and South Beaver Creek

Big Horse Creek from Mud Creek at S.R. 1363 to the S.R. 1324 bridge

Big Laurel Creek from the S.R. 1315 bridge to the confluence with the North Fork New River

Buffalo Creek from the S.R. 1133 bridge to the N.C. 194-88 bridge

Cranberry Creek from the Alleghany Co. line to the South Fork New River

Nathans Creek

North Fork New River from the Watauga Co. line to Sharp Dam

Old Fields Creek from N.C. 221 to the South Fork New River

Peak Creek from the upper boundary of the NCDA-NCSU Upper Mountain Research Station to Trout Lake

Roan Creek

Three Top Creek

(3) Avery County

(A) Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters are as follows:

Elk River, the portion on Lees-McRae College property, excluding the millpond

Lost Cove Creek, the game land portion, excluding Gragg Prong and Rockhouse Creek

Wilson Creek, the game land portion

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Boyde Coffey Lake

Elk River from the S.R. 1305 crossing immediately upstream of Big Falls to the Tennessee state line

Linville River from S.R. 1504 to the Blue Ridge Parkway boundary line, except where posted against trespassing

Milltimber Creek

North Toe River from Watauga St. to Roby Shoemaker Wetlands and Family Recreational Park, except where posted against trespassing

North Toe River from S.R. 1164 to Mitchell Co. line, except where posted against trespassing

Squirrel Creek

Wildcat Lake

Birchfield Creek

Cow Camp Creek

Cranberry Creek from the headwaters to the U.S. 19E, N.C. 194, bridge

Gragg Prong

Horse Creek

Kentucky Creek

North Harper Creek

Plumtree Creek

Roaring Creek

Rockhouse Creek

Shawneehaw Creek, the portion adjacent to Banner Elk Greenway

South Harper Creek

Webb Prong

(4) Buncombe County

(A) Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters are as follows:

Carter Creek, the game land portion

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Bent Creek from the headwaters to the N.C. Arboretum boundary line

Cane Creek from the headwaters to the S.R. 3138 bridge

Corner Rock Creek from Little Andy Creek to the confluence with Walker Branch

Dillingham Creek from Corner Rock Creek to Ivy Creek

Ivy Creek from Dillingham Creek to the U.S. 19-23 bridge

Lake Powhatan

Reems Creek from Sugar Camp Fork to the U.S. 19-23 bridge, except where posted against trespassing

Rich Branch from downstream of the confluence with Rocky Branch

Stony Creek

Swannanoa from the S.R. 2702 bridge near Ridgecrest to the Wood Avenue bridge, at the intersection of N.C. 81 and U.S. 74A in Asheville, except where posted against trespassing

(5) Burke County

(A) Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters are as follows:

Henry Fork, the portion on South Mountains State Park

(B) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Jacob Fork from Shinny Creek to the lower South Mountains State Park boundary

Carroll Creek, the game land portion above S.R. 1405

Henry Fork from the lower South Mountain State Park line to S.R. 1919 at Ivy Creek

Linville River, the portion within Linville Gorge Wilderness area and the portion below Lake James powerhouse from the upstream bridge on S.R. 1223 to Muddy Creek

(D) Special Regulation Trout Waters are as follows:

Catawba River from Muddy Creek to the City of Morganton water intake dam

(E) Wild Trout Waters are as follows:

The waters located on South Mountains State Park, except those waters identified in Parts (A) and (B) of this Subparagraph

(6) Caldwell County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Wilson Creek, the game land portion below Lost Cove Creek to Philips Branch

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Boone Fork Pond

Buffalo Creek from the mouth of Joes Creek to McCloud Branch

Joes Creek from the first falls upstream of S.R. 1574 to the confluence with Buffalo Creek

Wilson Creek from Phillips Branch to Brown Mountain Beach Dam, except where posted against trespassing

Yadkin River from the Happy Valley Ruritan Community Park to S.R. 1515

Buffalo Creek from the Watauga Co. line to Long Ridge Branch including game land tributaries

Joes Creek from the Watauga Co. line to the first falls upstream of the end of S.R. 1574

Rockhouse Creek

(7) Cherokee County

(A) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Davis Creek from the confluence of Bald Creek and Dockery Creek to Hanging Dog Creek

Hyatt Creek from Big Dam Branch to the Valley River

Junaluska Creek from Ashturn Creek to the Valley River

Shuler Creek from the Joe Brown Hwy, S.R. 1325 bridge, to the Tennessee state line

Valley River from S.R. 1359 to the U.S. 19 Business bridge in Murphy

(B) Special Regulation Trout Waters are as follows:

Apalachia Reservoir

(8) Clay County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Fires Creek from Rockhouse Creek to the foot bridge in the USFS Fires Creek Picnic Area

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Buck Creek, the game land portion downstream of the U.S. 64 bridge

Fires Creek from the foot bridge in the USFS Fires Creek Picnic Area to S.R. 1300

Tusquitee Creek from Compass Creek to the lower S.R. 1300 bridge

(9) Graham County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Snowbird Creek from the USFS footbridge at the old railroad junction to USFS Rd. 2579

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Calderwood Reservoir from Cheoah Dam to the Tennessee state line

Cheoah Reservoir

Panther Creek from the confluence of Stand Creek and Rock Creek to Lake Fontana

Santeetlah Creek from Johns Branch to Lake Santeetlah

Snowbird Creek from USFS Rd. 2579 to the S.R. 1127 bridge

Stecoah Creek from the upper game land boundary to Lake Fontana

Tulula Creek from S.R. 1201 to the lower bridge on S.R. 1275

West Buffalo Creek

Yellow Creek from Lake Santeetlah hydropower pipeline to the Cheoah River

Little Buffalo Creek

South Fork Squally Creek

Squally Creek

(10) Haywood County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

West Fork Pigeon River from Queen Creek to the first game land boundary upstream of Lake Logan

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Cold Springs Creek from Fall Branch to the Pigeon River

Jonathan Creek from upstream of the S.R. 1302 bridge to the Pigeon River, except where posted against trespassing

Pigeon River from Stamey Cove Branch to the upstream U.S. 19-23 bridge

Richland Creek from the Russ Avenue, U.S. 276, bridge to the U.S. 19 bridge

West Fork Pigeon River from Tom Creek to Queen Creek

(11) Henderson County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

North Fork Mills River, the game land portion below the Hendersonville watershed dam

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Broad River from the end of S.R. 1611 to the Rutherford Co. line

Cane Creek from the railroad bridge upstream of the S.R. 1551 bridge to the U.S. 25 bridge

Clear Creek from Laurel Fork to S.R. 1582

Green River from the Lake Summit powerhouse to the game land boundary

Hungry River from S.R. 1885 to the Green River

(12) Jackson County

(A) Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters are as follows:

Flat Creek

Tuckasegee River, the game land portion upstream of Tanasee Creek Lake, including the Duke Energy powerline corridor

Tuckasegee River the portion upstream from the Clark property

(B) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Tuckasegee River from downstream of the N.C. 107 bridge to the falls located 275 yards upstream of the U.S. 23-441 bridge, marked by a sign on both banks

Balsam Lake

Bear Creek Lake

Cedar Cliff Lake

Cullowhee Creek from Tilley Creek to the Tuckasegee River

Dark Ridge Creek from Jones Creek to Scott Creek

Greens Creek from Greens Creek Baptist Church on S.R. 1370 to Savannah Creek

Savannah Creek from Shell Branch to Cagle Branch

Scott Creek from Dark Ridge Creek to the Tuckasegee River, except where posted against trespassing

Tanasee Creek Lake

Tuckasegee River from John Brown Branch to the downstream N.C. 107 bridge

Tuckasegee River from the falls located 275 yards upstream of the U.S. 23-441 bridge, marked by a sign on both banks, to the S.R. 1534 bridge at Wilmont

Wolf Creek Lake

(D) Wild Trout Waters are as follows:

Gage Creek

North Fork Scott Creek

Tanasee Creek

Whitewater River from Silver Run Creek to the South Carolina state line

Wolf Creek except Balsam Lake and Wolf Creek Lake

(13) Macon County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Nantahala River from Whiteoak Creek to the Nantahala hydropower discharge canal

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Burningtown Creek from Left Prong to the Little Tennessee River

Cartoogechaye Creek from downstream of the U.S. 64 bridge to the Little Tennessee River

Cliffside Lake

Cullasaja River from Sequoyah Dam to the U.S. 64 bridge near the junction of S.R. 1672

Nantahala River from Dicks Creek to Whiteoak Creek

Nantahala River from the Nantahala hydropower discharge canal to the Swain Co. line

Queens Creek Lake

(14) Madison County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Big Laurel Creek from the N.C. 208 bridge to the U.S. 25-70 bridge

Shelton Laurel Creek from the N.C. 208 bridge at Belva to the confluence with Big Laurel Creek

Spring Creek from the N.C. 209 bridge at the Hot Springs city limits to the iron bridge at end of Andrews Ave.

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Big Laurel Creek from Puncheon Fork to the S.R. 1318, Big Laurel Rd., bridge downstream of Bearpen Branch

Big Pine Creek from the S.R. 1151 bridge to the French Broad River

Little Ivy Creek from the confluence of Middle Fork and Paint Fork at Beech Glen to the confluence with Ivy Creek at Forks of Ivy

Max Patch Pond

Meadow Fork Creek from Meadow Fork Campground to Spring Creek

Puncheon Fork from Wolf Laurel Branch to Big Laurel Creek

Roaring Fork from Fall Branch to Meadow Fork

Shelton Laurel Creek from the confluence of Big Creek and Mill Creek to the N.C. 208 bridge at Belva

Shut-in Creek

Spillcorn Creek

Spring Creek from the junction of N.C. 209 and N.C. 63 to the confluence with Meadow Fork

West Fork Shut-in Creek from the lower game land boundary to the confluence with East Fork Shut-in Creek

(15) McDowell County

(A) Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters are as follows:

Newberry Creek, the game land portion

(B) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Catawba River, the portion adjacent to the Marion Greenway

Curtis Creek, the game land portion downstream of the USFS boundary at Deep Branch

Mill Creek from the U.S. 70 bridge to the I-40 bridge

Armstrong Creek from the Cato Holler line downstream to the upper Greenlee line

Catawba River from the Catawba Falls Campground to the Old Fort Recreation Park

Little Buck Creek, the game land portion

North Fork Catawba River from the headwaters to North Cove School at the S.R. 1569 bridge

(16) Mitchell County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Cane Creek from the N.C. 226 bridge to the S.R. 1189 bridge

North Toe River from the U.S. 19E bridge to the N.C. 226 bridge

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Big Rock Creek from the headwaters to the N.C. 226 bridge at the S.R. 1307 intersection

Cane Creek from S.R. 1219 to the N.C. 226 bridge

East Fork Grassy Creek

Grassy Creek from East Fork Grassy Creek to the mouth

Little Rock Creek from the Green Creek bridge to Big Rock Creek, except where posted against trespassing

North Toe River from the Avery Co. line to the S.R. 1121 bridge

Green Creek from the headwaters to the Green Creek bridge, except where posted against trespassing

Little Rock Creek the portion upstream of the Green Creek bridge, including the tributaries, except where posted against trespassing

Wiles Creek from the game land boundary to the mouth

(17) Polk County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Green River from the Fishtop Falls Access Area to the confluence with Cove Creek

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Green River from the mouth of Cove Creek to the natural gas pipeline crossing

North Pacolet River from Joels Creek to the N.C. 108 bridge

(18) Rutherford County

(A) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Broad River from the Henderson Co. line to the U.S. 64/74 bridge, except where posted against trespassing

(19) Stokes County

(A) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Dan River from the Virginia state line downstream to a point 200 yards below the end of S.R. 1421

(20) Surry County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Ararat River, the portion adjacent to the Ararat River Greenway

Mitchell River from 0.6 miles upstream of the end of S.R. 1333 to the lowermost bridge on S.R. 1330

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Ararat River from the S.R. 1727 bridge to the N.C. 103 bridge

Big Elkin Creek from the dam 440 yards upstream of the N.C. 268 bridge to a point 265 yards downstream of N.C. 268, marked by a sign on both banks

Fisher River from the Virginia state line to the I-77 bridge

Little Fisher River from the Virginia state line to the N.C. 89 bridge

Lovills Creek from the U.S. 52 Business bridge to the Ararat River

Pauls Creek from the Virginia state line to 0.3 miles below the S.R. 1625 bridge

(21) Swain County

(A) Delayed Harvest Waters Trout Waters are as follows:

Tuckasegee River from the U.S. 19 bridge to the Slope Street bridge

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Alarka Creek from the game land boundary to Fontana Reservoir

Calderwood Reservoir from Cheoah Dam to the Tennessee state line

Cheoah Reservoir

Connelly Creek from Camp Branch to the Tuckasegee River

Deep Creek from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Boundary line to the Tuckasegee River

Nantahala River from the Macon Co. line to the existing Fontana Lake water level

(22) Transylvania County

(A) Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters are as follows:

Davidson River from the headwaters to Avery Creek, excluding Avery Creek, Looking Glass Creek, Grogan Creek, Cedar Rock Creek and John Rock Branch

(B) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

East Fork French Broad River from East Fork Baptist Church to the downstream S.R. 107

bridge

Little River from the confluence of Lake Dense to 100 yards downstream of Hooker Falls

Davidson River from Avery Creek to the lower USFS boundary

French Broad River from the confluence of the North Fork French Broad River and west Fork

French Broad River to the Island Ford Rd., S.R. 1110, Access Area

Middle Fork French Broad River from upstream of the U.S. 178 bridge to the French Broad River

West Fork French Broad River from S.R. 1312 to confluence with North Fork French Broad River

(D) Wild Trout Waters are as follows:

The waters located on Gorges State Park

Whitewater River from Silver Run Creek to the South Carolina state line

(23) Watauga County

(A) Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters are as follows:

Laurel Creek from the confluence of North Fork Laurel Creek and South Fork Laurel Creek to Elk Creek, excluding tributaries

Pond Creek from the headwaters to the Locust Ridge Rd. bridge, excluding the pond adjacent to Coffee Lake

(B) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Lake Coffey

Watauga River from the S.R. 1114 bridge to the Valle Crucis Community Park lower boundary

Watauga River from the S.R. 1103 bridge to the confluence with Laurel Creek

Beaverdam Creek from the confluence of Beaverdam Creek and Little Beaverdam Creek to an unnamed tributary adjacent to the intersection of S.R. 1201 and S.R. 1203

Beech Creek

Buckeye Creek from Buckeye Creek Reservoir dam to Grassy Gap Creek

Buckeye Creek Reservoir

Cove Creek from the S.R. 1233 bridge at Zionville to the S.R. 1214 bridge at Sherwood

Dutch Creek from the second S.R. 1136 bridge to the mouth

Elk Creek from the S.R. 1510 bridge at Triplett to the Wilkes Co. line, except where posted

against trespassing

Laurel Creek from the S.R. 1123 bridge at the S.R. 1157 intersection to the Watauga River

Meat Camp Creek from the S.R. 1340 bridge at the S.R. 1384 intersection to N.C. 194

Middle Fork New River from adjacent to the intersection of S.R. 1539 and U.S. 321 to the South Fork New River

Norris Fork Creek

South Fork New River from the canoe launch 70 yards upstream of U.S. 421 bridge to the lower boundary of Brookshire Park

Stony Fork from the S.R. 1500 bridge at the S.R. 1505 intersection to the Wilkes Co. line

(D) Wild Trout Waters are as follows:

Dutch Creek from the headwaters to the second S.R. 1136 bridge

Howard Creek

Maine Branch from the headwaters to the North Fork New River

North Fork New River from the confluence with Maine Branch and Mine Branch to the Ashe Co. line

Winkler Creek from the lower bridge on S.R. 1549 to the confluence with the South Fork New River

(24) Wilkes County

(A) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

East Prong Roaring River from Bullhead Creek to the Stone Mountain State Park lower boundary

Elk Creek from the Watauga Co. line to the lower boundary of the Blue Ridge Mountain Club

Elk Creek, the portion on Leatherwood Mountains development

Reddies River from the Town of North Wilkesboro water intake dam to the confluence with the Yadkin River

Stone Mountain Creek from the falls at the Alleghany Co. line to the confluence with the East Prong Roaring River and Bullhead Creek

(B) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are as follows:

Basin Creek from the S.R. 1730 bridge to the confluence with Lovelace Creek

Bell Branch Pond

Boundary Line Pond

Cub Creek from 0.5 miles upstream of the S.R. 2460 bridge to the S.R. 1001 bridge

Darnell Creek from the downstream ford on S.R. 1569 to the confluence with the North

Fork Reddies River

East Prong Roaring River from the Stone Mountain State Park lower boundary to the Low Meadows Lane bridge

Fall Creek from the S.R. 1300 bridge to the confluence with South Prong Lewis Fork, except where posted against trespassing

Middle Fork Reddies River from the headwaters to the bridge on S.R. 1580

Middle Prong Roaring River from the headwaters to the second bridge on S.R. 1736

North Fork Reddies River from the headwaters to the Union School bridge on S.R. 1559

Pike Creek

Pike Creek Pond

South Fork Reddies River from the S.R. 1355 bridge to the confluence with the Middle Fork Reddies River

South Prong Lewis Fork from Fall Creek to the U.S. 421 bridge adjacent to the S.R. 1155 intersection

The waters located on Stone Mountain State Park, except East Prong Roaring River from Bullhead Creek to the Stone Mountain State Park lower boundary where Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply, and Stone Mountain Creek from the falls at the Alleghany Co. line to the confluence with the East Prong Roaring River and Bullhead Creek in Stone Mountain State Park where Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply

(25) Yancey County

(A) Catch and Release Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters are as follows:

South Toe River from the headwaters to Upper Creek

Upper Creek

(B) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are as follows:

Cane River from Blackberry Ridge Rd. to the downstream boundary of Cane River County Park

Bald Mountain Creek, except where posted against trespassing

Cane River from Bee Branch, S.R. 1110, to Bowlens Creek

Price Creek from the junction of S.R. 1120 and S.R. 1121 to Indian Creek

South Toe River from Clear Creek to the lower boundary line of Yancey Co. Recreation Park, except where posted against trespassing

(D) Wild Trout Waters are as follows:

Cattail Creek from the bridge at Mountain Farm Community Rd. to the N.C. 197 bridge

Lickskillet Creek

Middle Creek from the game land boundary to the mouth

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-272; 113-292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; July 1, 1997; July 1, 1996; July 1, 1995; July 1, 1994; July 1, 1993; October 1, 1992;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2001;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2002;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002 (approved by RRC on 6/21/01 and 04/18/02);

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2004 (this amendment replaces the amendment approved by RRC on July 17, 2003);

Amended Eff. August 1, 2018; August 1, 2017; August 1, 2016; August 1, 2015; August 1, 2014; August 1, 2013; August 1, 2012; August 1, 2011; August 1, 2010; May 1, 2009; May 1, 2008; May 1, 2007; May 1, 2006; June 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2024; August 1, 2023; August 1, 2022; August 1, 2021; August 1, 2020.

15A NCAC 10C .0206 TROTLINES, JUG HOOKS AND SET HOOKS

(a) For purposes of this Rule, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Set hook" means a fishing device consisting of a single line having no more than three hooks that is attached at one end only to a stationary object.

(2) "Jug hook" means a fishing device consisting of a single line having no more than three hooks that is attached to a float.

(3) "Trotline" means a fishing device consisting of a horizontal common line having multiple hooks attached.

(b) Trotlines, jug hooks, and set hooks may be set in the inland waters of North Carolina, provided no live bait is used, except that they:

(1) may not be set in the impounded waters on the Sandhills Game Land;

(2) may not be set in designated public mountain trout waters except impounded waters of power reservoirs and municipally-owned water supply reservoirs open to the public for fishing;

(3) in Lake Waccamaw, trotlines, jug hooks, or set hooks may only be set from October 1 through April 30; and

(4) in the Roanoke River, trotlines, jug hooks, or set hooks may only be set from July 1 through March 31.

(c) A trotline, set hook, and jug hook shall bear legible and indelible identification of the user's name and address or the user's Wildlife Resources Commission customer number.

(d) Trotlines and set hooks shall be conspicuously marked at each end with a flag, float, or other prominent object so that its location is readily discernible by boat operators and swimmers.

(e) Trotlines shall be set parallel to the nearest shore in inland fishing waters unless otherwise prohibited.

(f) The number of jug hooks that may be fished is limited to 70 per boat.

(g) Trotlines, set hooks, and jug hooks shall be fished once daily with all fish removed.

(h) Trotlines, set hooks, and jug hooks without bait or not labeled as described in this Paragraph may be removed from the water by wildlife enforcement officers.

(i) It is unlawful to use metal cans or glass jugs as floats.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-272; 113-292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1993; May 1, 1992; July 1, 1989; January 1, 1982;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2002;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2015; August 1, 2014; August 1, 2013; May 1, 2008; June 1, 2005; August 1, 2002;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2022;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0207 GRABBLING FOR FISH

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

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

15A NCAC 10C .0208 SPAWNING AREAS

(a) No person shall fish from March 1 to May 31 in the following restored floodplain sloughs connected to the French Broad River and Mud Creek in Henderson County:

(1) Slough 1 at 35.403687 N, 82.531970 W connected to the French Broad River, located 0.25 miles upstream of Butler Bridge Rd. (S.R. 1345).

(2) Slough 2 at 35.398380 N, 82.528750 W connected to the French Broad River, located 1.0 miles upstream of Butler Bridge Rd.

(3) Slough 3 at 35.396449 N, 82.525462 W connected to Mud Creek, located 0.1 miles upstream from confluence with the French Broad River.

(4) Pleasant Grove slough at 35.298384 N, 82.584716 W connected to the French Broad River, located 0.25 miles upstream from S.R. 1205, Etowah School Road.

(b) Each slough shall be marked with signs on both banks.

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

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2009; August 1, 2004; July 1, 1993; July 1, 1989; July 1, 1985; July 1, 1984;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2022;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2024.

15A NCAC 10C .0209 TRANSPORTATION OF LIVE FISH

(a) Fish Transport: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to transport live freshwater nongame fishes, or live game fishes in excess of the possession limit, or fish eggs without having in possession a permit obtained from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

(b) Fish Stocking: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to stock any life stage of any species of fish in the inland fishing waters of this State without having first procured a stocking permit from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

(1) Application for a stocking permit shall be made on a form provided by the Commission. The applicant shall specify the purpose for the stocking, species to be stocked, the source of the stock, the number of individual specimens to be released, and the location where release is desired.

(2) Before issuing a stocking permit, the Executive Director shall review the application and determine, based on principles of wildlife management and biological science, that the proposed stocking will not:

(A) threaten the introduction of epizootic disease or

(B) create a danger to or an imbalance in the environment inimical to the conservation of wildlife resources.

(3) Based on the determination made in Subparagraph (2):

(A) If the Executive Director determines that either or both conditions cannot be met under any circumstances, the application shall be denied.

(B) If the Executive Director determines that both conditions may be met only by the introduction of fewer than the number requested, a permit only for the number that may be safely released shall be issued.

(4) Any stocking permit issued by the Commission may impose the following conditions or restrictions:

(A) Location where the permitted number of fish may be stocked.

(B) Certification that fish are free of certifiable diseases by the vendor or a laboratory qualified to make such determination.

(D) Access by the Commission to the property where fish introductions occur to assess impacts of the introduction.

(E) All conditions required shall be included in writing on the permit.

(5) Based on the criteria in Subparagraph (2), no permit shall be issued to stock any of the following species in the areas indicated:

SPECIES LOCATION

Salmonids except brown, brook, and rainbow trout Statewide

Flathead catfish Statewide

Blue Catfish Statewide

(d) For purposes of this Rule, stocking is the introduction or attempted introduction of one or more individuals of a particular species of live fish into public waters for any purpose other than:

(1) As bait affixed to a hook and line, or

(2) A release incidental to "catch and release" fishing in an area within the same body of water where the fish was caught, or within an adjacent body of water not separated from that body by any natural or manmade obstruction to the passage of that species.

(e) The release of more than the daily creel limit, or if there is no established creel limit for the species, more than five individuals of the species, shall constitute prima facie evidence of an intentional release.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑135; 113‑274; 113‑292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2020.

15A NCAC 10C .0210 FISHES TAKEN ILLEGALLY: MANAGEMENT PURPOSES

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑137;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

15A NCAC 10C .0211 POSSESSION OF CERTAIN FISHES

(a) It shall be unlawful to transport, purchase, possess, sell, or stock in the public or private waters of North Carolina any live individuals of:

(1) African longfin eel (Anguilla mossambica);

(2) amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii);

(3) applesnail (any species of the genus Pomacea);

(4) Asian swamp eel, swamp or rice eel (Monopterus albus);

(5) Australian red claw crayfish or red claw (Cherax quadricarinatus, or other species in the genus Cherax);

(6) bigclaw crayfish (Faxonius placidus);

(7) bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis);

(8) black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus);

(9) brown hoplo (Hoplosternum littorale);

(10) Chinese mysterysnail (Cipangopaludina chinensis);

(11) Creole painted crayfish (Faxonius palmeri creolanus);

(12) Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius);

(13) European eel (Anguilla anguilla);

(14) European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus);

(15) European perch (Perca fluviatilis);

(16) Japanese mysterysnail (Cipangopaludina japonica);

(17) marbled Crayfish or Marmorkrebs (Procambarus virginalis or Procambarus fallax f. virginalis);

(18) olive mysterysnail (Viviparus subpurpureus);

(19) Oriental weatherfish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus);

(20) piranha (any species of the genera Pristobrycon, Pygocentrus, Pygopristis, or Serrasalmus);

(21) Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio);

(22) quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) or any mussel in the family Dreissenidae;

(23) red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis);

(24) red-rim melania (Melanoides tuberculatus or Melanoides tuberculata);

(25) redtail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus);

(26) round goby (Neogobius melanostomus);

(27) rudd (Scardinius erythropthalomus or Scardinius erythrophthalmus);

(28) ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus or Gymnocephalus cernua);

(29) rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus);

(30) shortfin eel (Anguilla australis);

(31) silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix);

(32) snakehead fish (from the Family Channidae, formerly Ophiocephalidae);

(33) tubenose goby (Proterorhinus marmoratus, Proterorhinus semilunaris, and Proterorhinus semipellucidus);

(34) virile crayfish (Faxonius virilis);

(35) walking catfish (any member of the genus Batrachus);

(36) white amur or grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), except for triploid individuals as permitted in Paragraph (b) of this Rule;

(37) yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis); or

(38) zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha).

(b) A person may buy, possess, or stock grass carp that have been certified to be triploid or sterile, only for the purpose of controlling aquatic vegetation under a permit issued by the Executive Director or his or her designee based on an evaluation of the potential for escapement and threat to sensitive aquatic habitats.

(c) It shall be unlawful to transport, possess, or release live river herring, also known as alewife or blueback herring, in the waters of the Little Tennessee River in and upstream of Lake Santeetlah and Cedar Cliff Lake, including all the tributaries and impoundments thereof, and on adjacent shorelines, docks, access ramps, and bridge crossings.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-274(c)(1c); 113-292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. September 1, 1984;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. July 18, 2002;

Temporary Amendment Eff. September 1, 2002;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2013; August 1, 2011; June 1, 2009, June 1, 2005; August 1, 2004;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2021; August 1, 2020.

15A NCAC 10C .0212 FISH HATCHERIES

(a) Fishing by any method at any time in the waters of Bones Creek from the Lake Rim Dam to the US 401 Bypass (Raeford Road) or upon any property used in conjunction with any State fish hatchery is prohibited, except that fishing shall be allowed:

(1) In McKinney Lake; and

(2) at any fishing event conducted by the Commission

(b) On Lake Rim it shall be unlawful to:

(1) use motorized boats, except those powered by electric motors;

(2) swim or bathe at any time; or

(3) use, or have in one's possession, any minnows, or other species of fish except golden shiners for use as bait.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑264; 113‑292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; May 1, 1992;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2004 (this amendment replaces the amendment approved by RRC on July 17, 2003);

Readopted Eff. February 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0213 SNAGGING FISH

Snagging by means of pulling or jerking a device equipped with one or more hooks through the water for the purpose of impaling fish is prohibited in all inland fishing waters.

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

Eff. January 1, 1977;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1989; January 1, 1981; January 1, 1979; January 1, 1978;

Readopted Eff. February 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0214 FISH COLLECTORS

(a) A collection license may be issued to qualified individuals to take any species of fish from the inland fishing waters of the State, or inland game fish from the joint or coastal waters.

(b) Individuals interested in obtaining a collection license shall apply by sending an application to 1701 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606 or by completing and submitting an application online at www.ncwildlife.org. Information required by the applicant shall include:

(1) name, address, date of birth, email, and driver's license number;

(2) species information;

(3) organizational affiliation, if any; and

(4) full documentation of research or educational proposal(s), if applicable.

(1) prior research or educational experience in the same or similar field;

(2) work with or for an educational institution;

(3) type of study requested of license (harvest or catch and release);

(4) current status and quantity of species requested;

(5) collection methodology proposed; and

(6) disposition of collection.

(d) A collection license may be used in lieu of any other fishing license required by law and shall authorize possession and transportation of the fish incidental to the authorized taking.

(e) A collection license may be issued:

(1) upon payment of the license fee.

(2) to any individual, so long as the take is not deemed harmful to the efficient conservation of the species to be collected or to other fish or wildlife resources that may be dependent thereon.

(f) Endangered and threatened species shall not be taken or collected under a collection license except with a valid endangered species permit.

(g) Unless a more limited duration is designated on the license, collection licenses shall be valid from January 1 through December 31 of the applicable year.

(h) The manner of taking fish under a collection license may be specified on the license and need not be restricted to the usual methods of lawful fishing.

(i) Licensed individuals shall submit the following information to the Commission within 15 days of license expiration. The report shall be completed online at www.ncwildlife.org and include:

(1) the numbers of each species taken under the license;

(2) the use or disposition thereof; and

(3) the date and waterbody of taking.

Depending on the species taken, additional information including the sex, size, weight, age, and condition of species taken may be required.

(j) The Executive Director or his or her designee may, pursuant to G.S. 113-272.4(d), impose further restrictions or conditions on individuals licensed under this Rule deemed to be necessary to the efficient administration of the wildlife conservation laws and Rules.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑272.4;

Eff. January 1, 1981;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0215 REPLACEMENT COSTS OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES - FISH

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-267;

Eff. December 1, 1993.

Repealed Eff. October 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0216 STATE INLAND FISHING LICENSE EXEMPTIONS

(a) The Commission may exempt participants of an organized fishing event conducted by a governmental or non-profit entity from obtaining an inland fishing license.

(b) The state inland fishing license exemption shall only be issued when all the following information is submitted by the applicant on a form found online at www.ncwildlife.org not less than 21 days prior to the organized fishing event:

(1) applicant name, address, phone number, and email address;

(2) applicant organization name and address;

(3) date, time, and location of event; and

(4) estimated number of event attendees and event description.

(1) The person in charge of the event must be on-site at all times and have a copy of the exemption available for inspection on request by Commission personnel; and

(2) The exemption shall be limited to the immediate location of the event and shall remain in effect only for the duration of the event.

(d) The Commission may require that the applicants submit participant information for those fishing under the exemption.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑272.2; 113‑276; 113‑292;

Eff. May 1, 2007;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2009;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0217 Public Access for Anglers Only

(a) By accepting and posting the Public Access for Fishing Only sign from the Wildlife Resources Commission on their property, a landowner:

(1) agrees to allow any member of the public with a valid fishing license and any accompanying youth to cross his or her property in order to access public waters for the purpose of fishing; and

(2) designates the Wildlife Resources Commission as an agent as described in G.S. 14-159.6. As an agent, the Commission confers access to any member of the public with a valid fishing license and any accompanying youth.

(b) Anglers who access property under the terms of this Rule are prohibited from engaging in any of the following activities while on the private property unless otherwise posted:

(1) building fires;

(2) littering;

(3) swimming;

(4) launching or retrieving boats;

(5) camping;

(6) causing property damage;

(7) entering before 7:00 a.m.; and

(8) remaining on the property after 9:00 p.m.

History Note: Authority G.S. 14-159.6; 113-134; 113-305;

Eff. August 1, 2014;

Readopted Eff. February 1, 2022.

15A NCAC 10C .0218 HARVEST REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

(a) For the purpose of this Rule, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Division" means the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.

(2) "inland fishing waters adjacent to joint or coastal fishing waters" means inland fishing waters upstream of joint or coastal fishing waters of the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers and their tributaries extending upstream to the first impoundment of the main course on the river or its tributaries, and in all other inland fishing waters east of Interstate 95 except in the Lumber River and its tributaries.

(3) "harvest" means catching or taking a fish and reducing it to permanent possession by not returning it to the water.

(b) An individual who harvests the following species, from joint fishing waters or inland fishing waters adjacent to joint or coastal fishing waters, shall report the information required in Rule 15A NCAC 03I .0124(b) to the Division at https://www.ncmarinefisheries.net or record the harvest on a Division-issued report card when harvest is complete:

(1) flounder;

(2) red drum;

(3) spotted seatrout;

(4) striped bass; and

(5) weakfish.

(c) Individuals using a Division-issued report card shall report the information electronically at https://www.ncmarinefisheries.net in a manner consistent with requirements of Rule 15A NCAC 03I .0124(b).

(d) An individual shall not remove the head or tail or otherwise change the appearance of the fish to render it impractical to identify, count, or measure while fishing or afield and until harvest has been recorded or reported.

(e) The requirements of this Rule shall be effective in accordance with the schedule in S.L. 2023-137, s. 6(f).

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-170.3;

Temporary Adoption Eff. July 5, 2024.

SECTION .0300 – GAME FISH IN INLAND FISHING WATERS

15A NCAC 10C .0301 INLAND GAME FISHES DESIGNATED

(a) The following fishes are classified and designated as inland game fishes in inland, joint, and coastal fishing waters:

(1) Alabama bass, largemouth bass, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass;

(2) black crappie and white crappie;

(3) chain pickerel (jack), muskellunge, and redfin pickerel;

(4) kokanee salmon;

(5) mountain trout, all species including but not limited to brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout;

(6) sauger and walleye; and

(7) sunfish, including bluegill (bream), flier, pumpkinseed, redbreast (robin), redear (shellcracker), Roanoke bass, rock bass (redeye), warmouth, and all other species of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) not specifically listed in this Rule.

(b) The following fishes are classified as inland game fishes when found in inland fishing waters:

(1) American shad and hickory shad;

(2) black bullhead, brown bullhead, flat bullhead, snail bullhead, white catfish, and yellow bullhead;

(3) flounder;

(4) red drum (channel bass, red fish, puppy drum);

(5) spotted sea trout (speckeled trout);

(6) striped bass, white bass, white perch, and Morone hybrids (striped bass-white bass); and

(7) yellow perch.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2005; June 1, 2004; July 1, 1996; July 1, 1990; July 1, 1983; January 1, 1981; January 1, 1980;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0302 MANNER OF TAKING INLAND GAME FISHES

(a) Inland game fishes may only be taken with hook and line unless otherwise provided.

(b) Landing nets may be used to land fishes caught on hook and line.

(c) Game fishes taken incidental to the use of special devices for taking nongame fishes from inland fishing waters as authorized in 15A NCAC 10C .0402 or as authorized by 15A NCAC 10C .0407 by anglers licensed pursuant to G.S. 113-272.2(c) shall be immediately returned to the water unharmed except:

(1) that a daily creel limit of American and hickory shad may be taken with dip nets and bow nets from March 1 through April 30 in those waters where those gears may be lawfully used; and

(2) white perch may be taken when captured in a cast net being used to collect nongame fishes in impounded waters west of Interstate 95 and in the Tar River Reservoir in Nash County.

(d) Inland game fishes taken from Inland Fishing Waters shall not be sold.

(e) In the inland waters of the Roanoke River upstream of U.S. 258 bridge, only a single barbless circle hook may be used when fishing with live or natural bait from April 1 to June 30. With other tackle, only a single barbless hook may be used. "Circle hook" as used in this Rule means a hook with the point turned perpendicularly back to the shank. "Barbless" as used in this Rule requires that the hook does not have a barb or the barb is bent down.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-272.3; 113-292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1996; October 1, 1994; July 1, 1993; May 1, 1992; January 1, 1982;

Temporary Amendment Eff. November 1, 1998;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2014; August 1, 2002; April 1, 1999;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2023; March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0303 PURCHASE AND SALE OF INLAND GAME FISHES

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑273; 113‑292; 113‑302;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. January 1, 1982; January 1, 1981; January 1, 1979; January 1, 1977;

Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

15A NCAC 10C .0304 TAKING AND POSSESSION OF INLAND GAME FISHES

(a) Individuals shall only take up to the daily creel limit of those species of inland game fish having a specified creel limit.

(b) Individuals shall only possess on those waters being fished:

(1) the specified daily creel limit for the species;

(2) fish conforming to the size limit for the species; and

(3) the daily creel limit while fishing or afield.

(d) No person, while fishing or afield, shall:

(1) unnecessarily destroy any inland game fish taken from inland fishing waters;

(2) remove the head or tail or otherwise change the appearance of any game fish having a size limit so to render it impracticable to measure its total original length; or

(3) change the appearance of any game fish having a daily creel limit so to obscure its identification or render it impracticable to count the number of fish in possession.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑135; 113‑135.1; 113‑292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; July 1, 1991; July 1, 1988; January 1, 1981;

Readopted Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0305 LarGEMOUTH bass

(a) The daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass is five fish, except in waters identified in Paragraphs (d), (e), (f), (l), (m), and (n) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass, but only two of them may be less than 14 inches except in waters identified in Paragraphs (d) through (n) of this Rule.

(d) In Lake Cammack in Alamance County, and Lake Holt in Granville County, the daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass is 10 fish and no more than two fish greater than 14 inches may be possessed.

(e) In Lake Santeetlah in Graham County, there is no daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass less than 14 inches. The daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass greater than 14 inches is five fish in aggregate.

(f) In Lake Chatuge in Clay County, the daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Alabama Bass, and Spotted Bass is 10 fish in aggregate. The minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 12 inches.

(g) The minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 14 inches in the following waters:

(1) Lake Raleigh in Wake County;

(2) Lake Sutton in New Hanover County;

(3) Pungo Lake in Washington and Hyde counties;

(4) New Lake in Hyde County; and

(5) Currituck, Roanoke, Croatan, Albemarle sounds, and their tributaries, including Roanoke River downstream of Roanoke Rapids Dam, Chowan River, Meherrin River, Yeopim River, Pasquotank River, Perquimans River, Little River, Big Flatty Creek, North River, Northwest River, Scuppernong River, Alligator River, including the Alligator/Pungo Canal east of the N.C. Hwy 264/45 bridge, and the other associated tributaries and canals in these river systems.

(h) In Cane Creek Lake in Union County, and Buckhorn Reservoir in Wilson and Nash counties, the minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 16 inches.

(i) In Lake Phelps in Tyrrell and Washington counties, the minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 14 inches, and no fish between 16 and 20 inches may be possessed.

(j) In Lake Hampton in Yadkin County, there is no minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass. No more than two Largemouth Bass less than 14 inches and no Largemouth Bass between 16 and 20 inches may be possessed.

(k) In Lake Thom-A-Lex in Davidson County, the minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 18 inches.

(l) In the Alleghany County portion of New River downstream of Fields Dam (Grayson County, Virginia), the daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Spotted Bass is five fish in aggregate. There is no minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass, but no fish between 14 and 22 inches in length may be possessed and one Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, or Spotted Bass greater than 22 inches may be possessed.

(m) In Lake Mattamuskeet and associated canals in Hyde County, the minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 16 inches and one Largemouth Bass greater than 20 inches may be possessed.

(n) In Jean Guite Creek and associated canals within the Town of Southern Shores in Dare County and in the ponds associated with Martin Marietta Park in Craven County, no Largemouth Bass may be possessed.

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

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 10, 1990, for a period of 180 days to expire on November 1, 1990;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 22, 1990, for a period of 168 days to expire on November 1, 1990;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 1, 1991, for a period of 180 days to expire on November 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1994; July 1, 1993; October 1, 1992;

Temporary Amendment Eff. December 1, 1994 for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes effective, whichever is sooner;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; July 1, 1997; July 1, 1996; July 1, 1995;

Temporary Amendment Eff. November 1, 1998;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1999;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2001;

Temporary Amendment Eff. March 8, 2002 [This rule replaces the rule proposed for permanent amendment effective July 1, 2002 and approved by RRC in May 2001];

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002 (approved by RRC in April 2002);

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2004 (this amendment replaces the amendment approved by RRC on July 17, 2003);

Amended Eff. August 1, 2018; August 1, 2017; August 1, 2016; November 1, 2013; August 1, 2012; March 1, 2012; August 1, 2011; August 1, 2010; May 1, 2009; July 1, 2008; May 1, 2008; May 1, 2007; May 1, 2006; June 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2024; March 15, 2023; August 1, 2021; August 1, 2020.

15A NCAC 10C .0306 crappie

(a) There is no daily creel limit for Crappie, except in waters identified in Paragraphs (d) through (h) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit except in waters identified in Paragraphs (f) through (h) of this Rule.

(d) In Buckhorn Reservoir in Wilson and Nash counties, the daily creel limit is 20 fish.

(e) In Lake Chatuge in Clay County, the daily creel limit is 30 fish.

(f) In the following waters, the daily creel limit is 20 fish and the minimum size limit is 10 inches:

(1) Roanoke River and its tributaries downstream of Roanoke Rapids dam;

(2) Cashie River and its tributaries;

(3) Middle River and its tributaries;

(4) Eastmost River and its tributaries; and

(5) Lake Mattamuskeet in Hyde County.

(g) In the following waters, the daily creel limit is 20 fish and the minimum size limit is eight inches:

(1) Lake Norman;

(2) Lake Hyco;

(3) Cane Creek Lake in Union County;

(4) Lake Hampton in Yadkin County;

(5) Tar River downstream of Tar River Reservoir Dam including tributaries;

(6) Neuse River downstream of Falls Lake Dam including tributaries;

(7) Haw River downstream of B. Everett Jordan Reservoir Dam including tributaries;

(8) Deep River downstream of Lockville Dam including tributaries;

(9) Cape Fear River including tributaries;

(10) Waccamaw River downstream of Lake Waccamaw Dam including tributaries;

(11) Lumber River including Drowning Creek including tributaries;

(12) public fishing waters east of Interstate 95, except Tar River Reservoir in Nash County, Sutton Lake in New Hanover County, and waters listed in Paragraph (f) of this Rule;

(13) public waters west of Interstate 77, except Lake Chatuge; and

(14) B. Everett Jordan Reservoir.

(h) In John H. Kerr Reservoir, the daily creel limit is 25 fish and the minimum size limit is nine inches.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2017; August 1, 2016; August 1, 2015;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2024; August 1, 2023; March 15, 2023; August 1, 2020.

15A NCAC 10C .0307 FLOUNDER

(a) The daily creel limit for flounder is one fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 15 inches.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021;

Temporary Amendment Eff. September 1, 2022;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2024; March 15, 2023;

Temporary Amendment Eff. August 8, 2024.

15A NCAC 10C .0308 KOKANEE SALMON

(a) The daily creel limit for kokanee salmon is four fish.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0309 muskellunge

(a) The daily creel limit for Muskellunge is one fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 42 inches.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0310 pickerEl

(a) There is no daily creel limit for Pickerel (Chain and Redfin).

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0311 roanoke and rock bass

(a) There is no daily creel limit for Roanoke and Rock Bass, except for waters identified in Paragraph (d) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit, except for waters identified in Paragraph (d) of this Rule.

(d) In all public fishing waters east of Interstate 77, the daily creel limit for Roanoke and Rock Bass is two fish in the aggregate and the minimum size for these fish is eight inches.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0312 sauger

(a) The daily creel limit for Sauger is eight fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 15 inches.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0313 AmERICAN SHAD AND HiCKORY shad

(a) The daily creel limit for American and Hickory Shad in aggregate is 10 fish, only one of which may be an American Shad, except for waters identified in Paragraphs (d) through (f) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

(d) In the inland waters of the Tar-Pamlico River, Pungo River, Pee Dee River, and their tributaries, the daily creel limit for American and Hickory Shad is 10 in aggregate.

(e) In the inland waters of the Cape Fear River and its tributaries, the daily creel limit for American and Hickory Shad is 10 in aggregate, only five of which may be American Shad.

(f) In public waters of the Roanoke River upstream of Roanoke Rapids Dam, including Roanoke Rapids Reservoir, Lake Gaston, John H. Kerr Reservoir, and their tributaries, and in public waters of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River upstream of Blewett Falls Dam, including Blewett Falls Reservoir, and its tributaries, no American Shad may be possessed.

(g) American and Hickory Shad may be taken with dip nets and bow nets as allowed in Rule .0407 of this Subchapter from March 1 through April 30.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2024; March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0314 STRIPED BASS

(a) The daily creel limit for striped bass and its hybrids is four fish in e aggregate, except in waters identified in Paragraphs (d) and (g) through (l) of this Rule.

(b) The minimum size limit for these fish is 20 inches, except in waters identified in Paragraphs (d) through (l) of this Rule.

(d) In the Dan River upstream from its confluence with Bannister River to the dam at Union Street in Danville, VA and in John H. Kerr Reservoir, the daily creel limit on striped bass and its hybrids is two in aggregate and the minimum size limit is 20 inches. No fish greater than 26 inches may be possessed from October 1 through May 31. From June 1 through September 30, the daily creel limit for striped bass and its hybrids is four in aggregate with no minimum size limit.

(e) In Lake Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Reservoir, the minimum size limit for striped bass and its hybrids is 20 inches from October 1 through May 31. There is no minimum size limit for these fish from June 1 through September 30.

(f) In Farmer Lake, Hyco Lake, Moss Lake, Oak Hollow Lake, Lake Townsend, and Salem Lake the minimum size limit for striped bass and its hybrids is 16 inches.

(g) In Lake Chatuge in Clay County, the daily creel limit is 15 in the aggregate. There is no minimum size limit, and two may be greater than 22 inches.

(h) In Lake Mattamuskeet, and in the Pee Dee River and its tributaries downstream from the Blewett Falls Dam to the South Carolina state line, the daily creel limit for striped bass and its hybrids is three fish in aggregate, and the minimum size limit is 18 inches.

(i) In the inland fishing waters of the Tar, Pungo, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers and their tributaries extending upstream to the first impoundment of the main course on the river or its tributaries, in other inland fishing waters east of Interstate 95 not specified in Paragraphs (h), (j), and (k) of this Rule, and in the ponds associated with Martin Marietta Park in Craven County, the season for taking and possessing striped bass is closed year-round.

(j) In the inland and joint fishing waters of the Roanoke River Striped Bass Management Area, as established in 15A NCAC 03R .0201 and identified in 15A NCAC 10C .0110 which includes the Roanoke, Cashie, Middle, and Eastmost rivers and their tributaries, the open season for taking and possessing striped bass and its hybrids is March 1 through April 30 from the joint-coastal fishing waters boundary at Albemarle Sound upstream to Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam. During the open season, the daily creel limit for striped bass and its hybrids is one fish in aggregate, and the minimum size limit is 18 inches. No fish over 22 inches in length shall be possessed.

(k) In designated inland and joint fishing waters of Roanoke Sound, Croatan Sound, Albemarle Sound, Chowan River, Currituck Sound, Alligator River, Scuppernong River, and their tributaries, excluding the Roanoke River and Cashie River and their tributaries, the striped bass fishing season, size limits, and creel limits are the same as those established by rules or proclamations of the Marine Fisheries Commission in adjacent coastal fishing waters.

(l) In accordance with G.S. 113-292, the Executive Director may, by proclamation, suspend or extend the hook-and-line season for striped bass in the inland and joint waters of coastal rivers and their tributaries. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of a proclamation issued pursuant to this authority.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2018; August 1, 2016; August 1, 2015; August 1, 2014;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2021; August 1, 2020;

Temporary Amendment Eff. November 30, 2021;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2022;

Temporary Amendment Eff. September 1, 2022;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2024; August 1, 2023; March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0315 sunfish

(a) For purposes of this Rule, Sunfish include bluegill, redbreast, redear, pumpkinseed, warmouth, flier, and all other species of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) not specified in 15A NCAC 10C .0305, .0306, .0311, .0321, .0322, or .0323.

(b) There is no daily creel limit for Sunfish, except for waters identified in Paragraph (e) of this Rule.

(d) There is no closed season.

(e) In the following waters and all their tributaries, the daily creel limit for Sunfish is 30 in the aggregate, no more than 12 of which may be Redbreast Sunfish:

(1) Roanoke River downstream of Roanoke Rapids Dam;

(2) Tar River downstream of Tar River Reservoir Dam;

(3) Neuse River downstream of Falls Lake Dam;

(4) Haw River downstream of Jordan Lake Dam;

(5) Deep River downstream of Lockville Dam;

(6) Cape Fear River;

(7) Waccamaw River downstream of Lake Waccamaw Dam;

(8) Lumber River including Drowning Creek; and

(9) all other public fishing waters east of Interstate 95, except Tar River Reservoir in Nash County.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0316 Mountain trout

(a) The daily creel limit for trout in Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters is seven fish. There is no minimum size limit for these fish. The open season is from 7 a.m. on the first Saturday in April until March 1, except for waters designated in Paragraph (g) of this Rule.

(b) The daily creel limit for trout in Wild Trout Waters is four fish. The minimum size limit for these fish is seven inches. There is no closed season.

(c) No trout may be harvested from Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters. Trout shall not be possessed while fishing these waters.

(d) The daily creel limit for trout in Delayed Harvest Trout Waters is seven fish. There is no minimum size limit for these fish. The Youth-only Delayed Harvest Trout Water Season is from 6:00 a.m. on the first Saturday in June until 12 p.m. that same day. During this season individuals under the age of 18 may fish. From 12:00 p.m. on the first Saturday in June until September 30, the Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Season is open for anglers. 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. Delayed Harvest Trout Waters are closed to fishing from one-half hour after sunset on the Friday before the first Saturday in June to 6 a.m. on the first Saturday in June.

(e) The daily creel limits, size limits, and seasons for trout in Special Regulation Trout Waters are as follows:

(1) Apalachia Reservoir (Cherokee County) the daily creel limit is three trout. There is no minimum size limit, but only one may be greater than 14 inches. There is no closed season.

(2) Catawba River (Burke County) from Muddy Creek to the City of Morganton water intake dam the daily creel limit is two fish. The minimum size limit is 14 inches. There is no closed season.

(f) The daily creel limit for trout in undesignated trout waters is seven fish. There is no minimum size limit for these fish.

(g) There is no closed season on taking trout from Linville River within Linville Gorge Wilderness Area and the impounded waters of the following power reservoirs and municipally-owned water supply reservoirs open to the public for fishing.

(1) Bear Creek Lake;

(2) Buckeye Creek Reservoir;

(3) Calderwood Reservoir;

(4) Cedar Cliff Lake;

(5) Cheoah Reservoir;

(6) Cliffside Lake;

(7) Tanassee Creek Lake;

(8) Queens Creek Lake; and

(9) Wolf Lake.

(h) In designated Public Mountain Trout Waters the season for taking all species of fish is the same as the trout fishing

season.

(i) Trout water designations 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, 2024; August 1, 2021; August 1, 2020.

15A NCAC 10C .0317 walleye

(a) The daily creel limit for Walleye is eight fish except for waters identified in Paragraphs (d) and (f) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit except for waters identified in Paragraphs (e) and (f) of this Rule.

(d) In Linville River upstream upstream from the NC 126 bridge, the daily creel limit for Walleye is four fish.

(e) In Lake James and its tributaries, except the Linville River upstream from the N.C. 126 bridge, the minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.

(f) In John H. Kerr Reservoir, Lake Gaston, and Roanoke Rapids Lake, the daily creel limit is five fish and the minimum size limit for Walleye is 18 inches.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0318 white bass

(a) The daily creel limit for white bass is 10 fish.

(b) There is a 14-inch minimum size limit.

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

Eff. November 1, 2013.

Amended Eff. August 1, 2017;

Readopted Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0319 white perch

(a) There is no daily creel limit for white perch.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

(d) In and west of Haywood, Buncombe, and Rutherford counties, it is unlawful to transport, possess, or release live white perch.

(e) White perch may be taken when captured in a cast net being used to collect nongame fishes for bait or personal consumption in all impounded waters west of I-95 and in the Tar River Reservoir (Nash County).

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2016;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0320 Yellow perch

(a) There is no daily creel limit for Yellow Perch.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0321 SMALLMOUTH Bass

(a) The daily creel limit for smallmouth bass is five fish, except in waters identified in Paragraphs (d) through (f) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit for smallmouth bass, but only two of them may be less than 14 inches except in waters identified in Paragraphs (d) through (f) of this Rule.

(d) In Lake Santeetlah in Graham County, there is no daily creel limit for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass less than 14 inches. The daily creel limit for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass greater than 14 inches is five fish in aggregate.

(e) In Lake Chatuge in Clay County, the daily creel limit for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Alabama bass, and spotted bass is 10 fish in aggregate. There is no minimum size limit for smallmouth bass.

(f) In the Alleghany County portion of New River downstream of Fields Dam (Grayson County, Virginia), the daily creel limit for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass is five fish in aggregate. There is no minimum size limit for smallmouth bass, but no fish between 14 and 22 inches in length may be possessed and only one largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, or spotted bass greater than 22 inches may be possessed.

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

Eff. August 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023; August 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0322 ALABAMA BASS AND SPOTTED Bass

(a) There is no daily creel limit for Alabama bass or spotted bass, except for waters identified in Paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

(d) In Lake Chatuge in Clay County, the daily creel limit for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Alabama bass, and spotted bass is 10 fish in aggregate.

(e) In the Alleghany County portion of New River downstream of Fields Dam (Grayson County, Virginia), the daily creel limit for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass is five fish in aggregate. There is no minimum size limit for spotted bass, but no fish between 14 and 22 inches in length may be possessed and only one largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, or spotted bass greater than 22 inches may be possessed.

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

Eff. August 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023; August 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0323 REDEYE Bass

(a) The daily creel limit for redeye bass is five fish.

(b) There is no minimum size limit for redeye bass, but only two of them may be less than 14 inches.

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

Eff. August 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0324 BULLHEADS

(a) The daily creel limit for black bullhead, brown bullhead, flat bullhead, snail bullhead, white catfish, and yellow bullhead is 10 fish in aggregate.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

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

Eff. August 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0325 SEA TROUT

(a) The daily creel limit for sea trout (spotted or speckled) is four fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 14 inches.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0326 RED DRUM

(a) The daily creel limit for red drum (also known as channel bass, red fish or puppy drum) is one fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 18 inches and no fish over 27 inches may be possessed in the daily creel limit.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Amendment Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

SECTION .0400 – NONGAME FISH IN INLAND FISHING WATERS

15A NCAC 10C .0401 MANNER OF TAKING NONGAME FISHES

(a) Except as permitted by the rules in this Section, no person shall take nongame fishes from the inland fishing waters of North Carolina in a manner other than with hook and line, grabbling, or special device with a special device fishing license, or inland fishing license.

(b) Nongame fishes may be taken from inland fishing waters without restriction as to size limits or creel limits, except as specified in this Section.

(c) Special devices used with a special device fishing license shall only be used in those counties and waters with open season designated in 15A NCAC 10C .0407.

(d) Archery equipment used with either a hunting license or inland fishing license may be used to take nongame fishes year-round in inland fishing waters, except:

(1) in the Pee Dee River and its tributaries, downstream of Blewett Falls Dam to the South Carolina state line, where only catfish shall be taken;

(2) in impounded waters located on the Sandhills Game Land; and

(3) in public mountain trout waters.

(e) Set hooks, jug hooks, and trotlines may be used to take nongame fishes as designated in 15A NCAC 10C .0206.

(f) The season for taking nongame fishes by hook and line in designated public mountain trout waters is the same as the trout fishing season. Trout seasons are designated in 15A NCAC 10C .0316.

(g) Nongame fishes taken by hook and line, grabbling, or by special device with a special device fishing license may be sold unless otherwise specified in this Section.

(h) In the inland waters of the Roanoke River upstream of U.S. 258 bridge, only a single barbless circle hook may be used when fishing with live or natural bait from April 1 to June 30. With other tackle, only a single barbless hook may be used. "Circle hook" as used in this Rule means a hook with the point turned perpendicularly back to the shank. "Barbless" as used in this Rule requires that a hook does not have a barb or the barb is bent down.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-272; 113-292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1994; July 1, 1993; May 1, 1992;

Temporary Amendment Eff. December 1, 1994;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; July 1, 1996; July 1, 1995;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2002; July 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002 (approved by RRC on 06/21/01 and 04/18/02);

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2004 (this amendment replaces the amendment approved by RRC on July 17, 2003);

Amended Eff. August 1, 2019; August 1, 2018; August 1, 2016; August 1, 2015; August 1, 2014; August 1, 2013; August 1, 2012; August 1, 2011; August 1, 2010; May 1, 2009; May 1, 2008; May 1, 2007; May 1, 2006; June 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2021;

Temporary Amendment Eff. September 1, 2022;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2023; March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0402 TAKING NONGAME FISHES by special device FOR BAIT OR PERSONAL CONSUMPTION

(a) The use of equipment specified in this Rule requires a valid license that provides basic inland fishing privileges.

(b) It is unlawful to take nongame fish for bait or personal consumption in the inland waters of North Carolina using equipment other than:

(1) a net of dip net design not greater than six feet across;

(2) a seine of not greater than 12 feet in length (except in Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County where there is no length limitation) and with a bar mesh measure of not more than one-fourth inch;

(3) a cast net;

(4) a bow net for the seasons and waters in which the use of bow nets is authorized in 15A NCAC 10C .0407;

(5) a dip net when used in conjunction with a licensed hand-crank electrofisher;

(6) a gig (except in Public Mountain Trout Waters);

(7) up to three traps for the seasons and waters in which the use of traps is authorized in 15A NCAC 10C .0407;

(8) up to two eel pots;

(9) a spear gun for the seasons and waters in which the use of a spear gun is authorized in 15A NCAC 10C .0407;

(10) minnow traps not exceeding 12 inches in diameter and 24 inches in length, with funnel openings not exceeding one inch in diameter, from which all fish and animals are removed daily, and that are labeled with the user's Wildlife Resources Commission customer number or name and address;

(11) a hand-held line with a single bait attached;

(12) a single, multiple-bait line for taking crabs not to exceed 100 feet in length, marked on each end with a solid float no less than five inches in diameter, bearing legible and indelible identification of the user's name and address, and under the immediate control and attendance of the person using the device, with a limit of one line per person and no more than one line per vessel; or

(13) a collapsible crab trap with the largest open dimension not greater than 18 inches and that by design is collapsed at all times when in the water, except when it is being retrieved or lowered to the bottom, with a limit of one trap per person.

(d) Game fishes taken shall be returned unharmed to the water, except for the following:

(1) American and hickory shad may be taken when captured with dip nets and bow nets from March 1 through April 30 subject to the size and creel limits specified in 15A NAC 10C .0313.

(2) white perch may be taken when captured in a cast net being used to collect nongame fishes for bait or personal consumption in all impounded waters west of I-95 and in the Tar River Reservoir (Nash County) subject to the size and creel limits specified in 15A NCAC 10C .0319.

(e) No person shall take or possess during one day more than 200 nongame fish, in aggregate, for bait or personal consumption, accounting for species specific size and creel limits identified in Section .0400 of this Subchapter.

(f) Any fishes taken for bait purposes are included within the daily possession limit for that species.

(g) It is unlawful to take nongame fish for bait from the following waters:

(1) Public Mountain Trout Waters (except in impounded waters of power reservoirs and municipally-owned water supply reservoirs);

(2) Bear Creek in Chatham County;

(3) Deep River in Chatham, Lee, and Moore counties and downstream of Coleridge Dam in Randolph County;

(4) Fork Creek in Randolph County; and

(5) Rocky River in Chatham County.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-272; 113-272.3; 113-292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000; July 1, 1998; July 1, 1993; July 1, 1992; May 1, 1992; July 1, 1989;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. July 18, 2002;

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2004 (this amendment replaces the amendment approved by RRC on July 17, 2003);

Amended Eff. August 1, 2019; August 1, 2018; August 1, 2017; August 1, 2016; August 1, 2015; August 1, 2014; August 1, 2013; August 1, 2010; May 1, 2008; May 1, 2007; May 1, 2006;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2021;

Temporary Amended Eff. September 1, 2022;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0403 TAKING NONGAME FISHES BY SPECIAL DEVICES

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑272.3; 113‑276; 113‑292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. January 1, 1982; January 1, 1977;

Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

15A NCAC 10C .0404 SPECIAL DEVICES

(a) Archery equipment. Archery equipment, as defined in 15A NCAC 10B .0116, is a special device.

(b) Nets. Where authorized, manually operated nets, including seines and bow, cast, dip, gill, drift, and fyke nets may be used under the special device license. No fixed gill net or other stationary net which may be authorized as a special device may be more than 100 yards in length, nor shall any such net be placed within 50 yards of any other fixed net. Fixed nets must be set so that they run parallel to the nearest shoreline. No fixed or drift gill nets shall be used unless such net is marked for the protection of boat operators. A net shall be deemed so marked when there is attached to it at each end two separate yellow buoys that shall be of solid foam or other solid buoyant material no less than five inches in its smallest dimensions. The owner shall be identified on a buoy on each end either by using engraved buoys or by attaching engraved metal or plastic tags to the buoys. Such identification shall include one of the following:

(1) owner's N.C. motor boat registration number;

(2) owner's U.S. vessel documentation name; or

(3) owner's last name, first and middle initials.

It is unlawful to attach gill nets to any wire, rope, or similar device extended across any navigable watercourse.

(c) Traps. Baskets and traps, excluding collapsible crab traps, may be used under the special device license. Such devices when set and left unattended shall be affixed with a card or tag furnished by the license holder and upon which his name and address shall be legibly and indelibly inscribed. No fish trap may exceed 60 inches in length or 30 inches in depth or width. No lead nets, wing nets, or other device designed to guide or herd fish may be attached to the trap or used or set within 25 feet of the trap.

(d) Spears. Manually operated gigs or under-water spear or harpoon guns may be used under the special device license in the inland waters having a season for their use specified in 15A NCAC 10C .0407.

(e) Crab pots. It is unlawful to use crab pots in inland fishing waters, except by persons owning property adjacent to the inland fishing waters of coastal rivers and their tributaries who are permitted to set two crab pots to be attached to their property and not subject to special device license requirements.

(f) Eel pots. It is unlawful to use pots with mesh sizes smaller than one-half inch by one-half inch. Each pot must be marked by attaching a floating buoy that shall be of solid foam or other solid buoyant material and no less than five inches in diameter and no less than five inches in length. Buoys may be of any color except yellow. The owner shall be identified on the attached buoy by using engraved buoys or by engraved metal or plastic tags attached to the buoy. Such identification shall include one of the following:

(1) owner's N.C. motorboat registration number;

(2) owner's U.S. vessel documentation name; or

(3) owner's last name, first and middle initials.

(g) Hand-crank electrofisher. For the purposes of this Rule, a hand-crank electrofisher is any manually-operated device which is capable of generating a low voltage electrical current not exceeding 300 volts for the taking of catfish. Hand-crank electrofishers may be used only where authorized by local law and only in those waters specified in 15A NCAC 10C .0407.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-272.2; 113-276; 113-292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1999; July 1, 1996; December 1, 1995; July 1, 1995; July 1, 1994; July 1, 1993;

Temporary Amendment Effective July 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2014; August 1, 2012; May 1, 2008; May 1, 2007; August 1, 2004; July 18, 2002;

Readopted Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0405 POSSESSION OF LICENSES

Except as indicated in this Rule, every individual participating in the taking of fish through the use of any special device must have the special device fishing license issued to him, personally, in his possession or readily available for inspection. A bow net or a dip net may be used by an individual other than the licensee with the licensee's permission, but such user must have the license in his possession or readily available for inspection. When using drag seines authorized for taking nongame fishes at beaches on inland fishing waters where there are migratory saltwater fishes only the principal owner and operator is required to be licensed.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑275; 113‑276; 113‑276.1; 113‑292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Temporary Amendment Eff. November 1, 1998;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1999;

Readopted Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0406 TRAWLS AND DREDGES

It is unlawful to use a trawl or clam dredge in any inland fishing waters.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑276; 113‑292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1988; January 1, 1982; January 1, 1981;

Readopted Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0407 PERMITTED SPECIAL DEVICES AND OPEN SEASONS

The use of special fishing devices, including crab pots in impoundments located entirely on game lands, shall be prohibited. Seasons and waters in which the use of other special devices is authorized are indicated by counties below:

(1) Alamance:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Alamance Creek below NC 49 bridge and Haw River;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters;

(2) Alexander: July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters; and with spear guns in Lake Hickory and Lookout Shoals Reservoir;

(3) Alleghany: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in New River, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(4) Anson:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Pee Dee River below Blewett Falls Dam;

(c) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters, except Pee Dee River from Blewett Falls downstream to the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad trestle;

(5) Ashe: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in New River (both forks), except designated public mountain trout waters;

(6) Beaufort:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in the Pungo River, and in the Tar and Pamlico Rivers above Norfolk and Southern Railroad bridge; and with gigs in all inland public waters;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters;

(7) Bertie:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in the Broad Creek (tributary of Roanoke);

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(8) Bladen:

(a) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Black River;

(b) July 1 to March 1 with hand-crank electrofishers (local law) in Cape Fear River between Lock and Dam 1 and 3 and in Black River, except that hand-crank electrofishing is prohibited within 400 yards of Lock and Dam 1, 2, and 3 on Cape Fear River;

(9) Brunswick: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Alligator Creek, Hoods Creek, Indian Creek, Orton Creek below Orton Pond, Rices Creek, Sturgeon Creek and Town Creek;

(10) Buncombe: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(11) Burke:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters, except Johns River and designated public mountain trout waters;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps, gigs, and spear guns in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters and Lake James;

(12) Cabarrus:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters,

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters;

(13) Caldwell: July 1 to June 30 with traps, gigs, and spear guns in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(14) Camden:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in all inland public waters;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(15) Carteret: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters except South River and the tributaries of the White Oak River;

(16) Caswell:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters;

(b) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters, except Moons Creek;

(17) Catawba:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters, except Catawba River below Lookout Dam;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps, spear guns, and gigs in all public waters;

(18) Chatham:

(a) December 1 to April 15 with dip and gill nets in the Cape Fear River, Deep River, Haw River and Rocky River (local law);

(b) July 1 to August 31 with seines in the Cape Fear River, and Haw River;

(19) Cherokee: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(20) Chowan:

(a) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(21) Clay: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(22) Cleveland:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs, traps and spear guns in all public waters;

(23) Columbus:

(a) December 1 to March 1 with gigs in all inland public waters, except Lake Waccamaw and its tributaries;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Livingston Creek;

(24) Craven:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in the main run of the Trent and Neuse Rivers;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except Pitch Kettle, Grindle, Slocum (downstream of the US 70 bridge), Spring, and Hancock Creeks and their tributaries; and with seines in the Neuse River;

(25) Currituck:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in Tulls Creek and Northwest River;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(26) Dare:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in Mashoes Creek, Milltail Creek, East Lake, and South Lake;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(27) Davidson:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, and with traps in all public waters except Leonard's Creek, Abbott's Creek below Lake Thom‑A‑Lex dam, and the Abbott's Creek arm of High Rock Lake upstream from the NC 8 bridge;

(28) Davie:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters;

(b) July 1 to August 31 for taking only carp and suckers with seines in Dutchmans Creek from US 601 to Yadkin River and in Hunting Creek from SR 1338 to South Yadkin River;

(29) Duplin:

(a) December 1 to June 5 with seines in the main run of the Northeast Cape Fear River downstream from a point one mile above Serecta Bridge;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in the main run of the Northeast Cape Fear River downstream from a point one mile above Serecta Bridge;

(30) Durham:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Neuse River;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters;

(31) Edgecombe: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all public waters;

(32) Forsyth: July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters, except traps may not be used in Belews Creek Reservoir;

(33) Franklin:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Tar River;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except Parrish, Laurel Mill, Jackson, Clifton, Moore's, and Perry's Ponds, and in the Franklinton City ponds;

(34) Gaston:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs, traps, and spear guns in all public waters;

(35) Gates: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(36) Graham: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(37) Granville:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except Kerr Reservoir;

(b) July 1 to August 31 with seines in the Tar River below US 158 bridge;

(38) Greene: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets and reels in Contentnea Creek;

(39) Guilford:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Haw River, Deep River below Jamestown Dam, and Reedy Fork Creek below US 29 bridge;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters;

(40) Halifax: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Beech Swamp, Clarks Canal, Conoconnara Swamp, Fishing Creek below the Fishing Creek Mill Dam, Kehukee Swamp, Looking Glass Gut, Quankey Creek, and White's Mill Pond Run;

(41) Harnett:

(a) January 1 to May 31 with gigs in Cape Fear River and tributaries;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Cape Fear River;

(42) Haywood: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except Lake Junaluska and designated public mountain trout waters;

(43) Henderson: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(44) Hertford:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in Wiccacon Creek;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(45) Hyde:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in all inland waters;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(46) Iredell: July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters; and with spear guns in Lookout Shoals Reservoir and Lake Norman;

(47) Jackson: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(48) Johnston: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Black Creek, Little River, Middle Creek, Mill Creek, Neuse River and Swift Creek;

(49) Jones:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in the Trent River below US 17 bridge and White Oak River below US 17 bridge;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except the tributaries to the White Oak River;

(50) Lee:

(a) December 1 to April 15 with dip and gill nets (local law) in Cape Fear River and Deep River;

(b) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Cape Fear River;

(51) Lenoir:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in Neuse River below US 70 bridge at Kinston;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Neuse River and Contentnea Creek upstream from NC 118 bridge at Grifton; and with seines in Neuse River;

(52) Lincoln:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps, gigs, and spear guns in all public waters;

(53) McDowell:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps, gigs, and spear guns in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters and Lake James;

(54) Macon: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(55) Madison: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(56) Martin: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(57) Mecklenburg:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps, gigs, and spear guns in all public waters except Freedom Park Pond and Hornet's Nest Ponds;

(58) Montgomery:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters, except that part of the Pee Dee River between the Lake Tillery dam at Hydro and the mouth of Rocky River;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters;

(59) Moore:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters except in Deep River;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except lakes located on the Sandhills Game Land; and with traps in Deep River and its tributaries;

(60) Nash:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except Tar River;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in the Tar River below Harris' Landing and Fishing Creek below the Fishing Creek Mill Dam;

(61) New Hanover: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except Sutton (Catfish) Lake;

(62) Northampton:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Reservoirs and the Roanoke River above the US 301 bridge;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Occoneechee Creek, Old River Landing Gut, and Vaughans Creek below Watsons Mill;

(63) Onslow:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in White Oak River below US 17 bridge;

(b) August 1 to March 31 with eel pots in the main run of New River between US 17 bridge and the mouth of Hawkins Creek;

(d) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Grant's Creek;

(64) Orange:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Haw River,

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters;

(65) Pamlico: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except Dawson Creek;

(66) Pasquotank:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in all inland waters;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(67) Pender:

(a) December 1 to June 5 with seines in the main run of Northeast Cape Fear River;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in the Northeast Cape Fear River, Long Creek, Moore's Creek approximately one mile upstream to New Moon Fishing Camp, and Black River;

(68) Perquimans:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in all inland waters;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except public lakes, ponds, and other impounded waters;

(69) Person:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Hyco Creek and Mayo Creek;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters.

(70) Pitt:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in Neuse River and in Tar River below the mouth of Hardee Creek east of Greenville;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except Grindle Creek, and Contentnea Creek between NC 118 bridge at Grifton and the Neuse River;

(71) Polk: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(72) Randolph:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Deep River above the Coleridge Dam and Uwharrie River;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters;

(73) Richmond:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters, except Pee Dee River from Blewett Falls downstream to the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad trestle;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters, except lakes located on the Sandhills Game Land;

(74) Robeson: December 1 to March 1 with gigs in all inland public waters.

(75) Rockingham:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Dan River and Haw River;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps in Dan River; and with gigs in all public waters;

(76) Rowan:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters,

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters;

(77) Rutherford:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps, gigs, and spear guns in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(78) Sampson:

(a) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Big Coharie Creek, Black River and Six Runs Creek;

(b) July 1 to March 1 with hand-crank electrofishers (local law) in Black River downstream of NC 1105 bridge;

(79) Stanly:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters, except that part of the Pee Dee River between the Lake Tillery dam at Hydro and the mouth of Rocky River;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters;

(80) Stokes: July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters, and traps may not be used in Belews Creek Reservoir;

(81) Surry: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters; and with traps in the main stem of Yadkin River;

(82) Swain: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(83) Transylvania: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(84) Tyrrell:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with traps in Scuppernong River and Alligator Creek;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except Lake Phelps, the drainage canals that connect Lake Phelps and Scuppernong River, public lakes, ponds and other impounded waters;

(85) Union:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in all running public waters,

(b) July 1 to June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters;

(86) Vance:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in the Tar River;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except Rolands, Faulkners, Southerlands, and Weldon Ponds, City Lake, and Kerr Reservoir;

(87) Wake:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except Sunset, Benson, Wheeler, Raleigh, and Johnson Lakes;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in the Neuse River below Falls Lake Dam, and Swift Creek below Lake Benson Dam;

(88) Warren:

(a) July 1 to August 31 with seines in Fishing Creek, Shocco Creek, and Walker Creek; except Duck and Hammes Mill Ponds;

(b) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except Duck and Hammes Mill Ponds, Kerr Reservoir, and Gaston Reservoir;

(89) Washington: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in all inland public waters, except Lake Phelps, the drainage canals that connect Lake Phelps and Scuppernong River, public lakes, ponds, and other impoundments.

(90) Wayne: March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Little River, Mill Creek and Neuse River.

(91) Wilkes: July 1 to June 30 with traps in Yadkin River below W. Kerr Scott Reservoir; and with gigs and spear guns in all public waters, except designated public mountain trout waters;

(92) Wilson:

(a) July 1 to June 30 with gigs in Contentnea Creek (except Buckhorn Reservoir), including unnamed tributaries between Flowers Mill and SR 1163 (Deans) bridge;

(b) March 1 to April 30 with bow nets in Contentnea Creek below US 301 bridge and in Toisnot Swamp downstream from the Lake Toisnot Dam; and

(93) Yadkin: July 1 to June 30 with gigs in all public waters, and with traps in the main stem of Yadkin River.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑276; 113‑292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Temporary Amendment Eff. December 29, 1988;

Temporary Amendment Eff. December 1, 1993;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000; July 1, 1998; July 1, 1996; December 1, 1995; July 1, 1995; July 1, 1994; June 1, 1994;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2002; July 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002 (approved by RRC on 06/21/01 and 04/18/02);

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2019; August 1, 2015; May 1, 2007; June 1, 2005; August 1, 2004;

Readopted Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0408 TRAPPING NONGAME FISH IN HIGH ROCK LAKE

History Note: Emergency Rule Eff. June 23, 1981;

Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑292; 150B‑13;

Made Permanent with Change Eff. September 30, 1981;

Repealed Eff. January 1, 1982.

15A NCAC 10C .0409 Taking and possession of nongame fishes

(a) Individuals shall only take up to the daily creel limit of those species of nongame fish having a specified creel limit.

(b) Individuals shall only possess, on those waters being fished:

(1) the specified daily creel limit for the species;

(2) fish conforming to the size limit of the species; and

(3) the daily creel limit while fishing or afield.

(d) No person, while fishing or afield, shall:

(1) remove the head or tail or otherwise change the appearance of any nongame fish specified in Section .0400 of this Subchapter as having a size limit, so as to render it impractical to measure its total original length, except as provided in 15A NCAC 10C .0410.

(2) change the appearance of any nongame fish that has a species-specific daily creel limit in Section .0400 of this Subchapter, as to obscure its identification or render it impractical to count the number of fish in possession, except for American Eel as provided in 15A NCAC 10C .0410.

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

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0410 AmericaN EEl

(a) The daily creel limit for American eels taken from or possessed, regardless or origin, while boating on or fishing in inland fishing waters is 25.

(b) The minimum size limit is nine inches.

(d) Eels greater than nine inches in length and with a minimum body depth greater than ½ inch may be cut for use as bait.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0411 atlantic cROAker

(a) The daily creel limit for Atlantic croaker is 50 fish.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

(d) Atlantic croaker shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0412 black drum

(a) The daily creel limit for black drum is 10 fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 14 inches and no fish over 25 inches may be possessed in the daily creel limit.

(d) Black drum shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0413 blue crab

(a) Blue crabs shall have a minimum carapace width of five inches (point to point).

(b) It is unlawful to possess more than 50 crabs per person per day, or to exceed 100 crabs per vessel per day.

(d) Blue crabs shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0414 bluefish

(a) The daily creel limit for bluefish is three.

(b) There is no size limit.

(d) Bluefish shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0415 bowfin

(a) There is no daily creel limit for bowfin.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

(d) Bowfin shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0416 BLUE Catfish, CHANNEL CatFISH, and FLATHEAD CATFISH

(a) There is no daily creel limit for blue, channel, and flathead catfish, except for waters identified in Paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

(d) In waters that are stocked and managed for catfish and located on game lands, on Commission-owned property, or on the property of a cooperator, including waters within the Community Fishing Program, no person shall take channel or blue catfish by means other than hook and line.

(e) In waters that are stocked and managed for catfish and located on game lands, on Commission-owned property, or on the property of a cooperator, including waters within the Community Fishing Program, the daily creel limit for channel catfish is seven on waters posted with signs indicating the creel limit.

(f) The daily creel limit for blue catfish greater than 32 inches is one fish in the following waters:

(1) Lake Norman;

(2) Mountain Island Lake;

(3) Lake Wylie;

(4) Badin Lake;

(5) Lake Tillery;

(6) John H. Kerr Reservoir (North Carolina portion);

(7) Dan River (Downstream of the Union Street Dam in Danville, VA);

(8) Lake Gaston (North Carolina portion); and

(9) Roanoke Rapids Reservoir.

(g) The daily creel limit is five catfish in aggregate on the Pee Dee River downstream of Blewett Falls Dam to the South Carolina state line and all tributaries.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0417 cobia

(a) The daily creel limit for cobia is one fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 36 inches.

(d) Cobia shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0418 freshwater mussels

(a) Freshwater mussels, including the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea), may only be taken from impounded waters, except mussels shall not be taken in:

(1) Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County; and

(2) University Lake in Orange County.

(b) The daily possession limit for freshwater mussels is 200 in the aggregate, except there is no daily possession limit for the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea).

(d) There is no closed season.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0419 grass carp

(a) There is no daily creel limit for grass carp, except for waters identified in Paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

(d) Grass carp shall not be taken or possessed except that one fish per day may be taken with archery equipment on the following waters:

(1) Lake James;

(2) Lookout Shoals Lake;

(3) Mountain Island Reservoir; and

(4) Lake Wylie.

(e) Grass carp shall not be taken or possessed except for scientific study by permit issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission on the following waters:

(1) Lake Gaston (S.L. 2009-261);

(2) Roanoke Rapids Reservoir (S.L. 2009-261);

(3) Lake Norman; and

(4) the North Carolina portion of John H. Kerr Reservoir.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0420 king mackerel

(a) The daily creel limit for king mackerel is three fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 24 inches.

(d) King mackerel shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0421 MARGINED MADTOM and TADPOLE Madtom

Margined madtom and tadpole madtom shall not be taken or possessed.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0422 Striped mullet and white MULLET

(a) The daily creel limit for striped mullet and white mullet is 100 fish per person in aggregate and no more than 400 fish per boat.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 5, 2024.

15A NCAC 10C .0423 alewife and blueback herring

(a) There is no daily creel limit for alewife or blueback herring (river herring), except for waters identified in Paragraph (e) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit, except for waters identified in Paragraph (d) of this Rule.

(d) While boating on or fishing in the following inland fishing waters, no person shall take alewife and blueback herring that are greater than six inches in length, or possess such herring regardless of origin in:

(1) Roanoke River downstream of Roanoke Rapids Dam;

(2) Tar River downstream of Rocky Mount Mill Dam;

(3) Neuse River downstream of Falls Lake Dam;

(4) Cape Fear River downstream of Buckhorn Dam;

(5) Pee Dee River downstream of Blewett Falls Dam;

(6) Lumber River, including Drowning Creek;

(7) all the tributaries to the rivers listed above; and

(8) all other inland fishing waters east of I-95.

(e) It shall be unlawful to transport, possess, or release live alewife or blueback herring, in the waters of the Little Tennessee River in and upstream of Lake Santeetlah and Cedar Cliff Lake, including all the tributaries and impoundments thereof, and on adjacent shorelines, docks, access ramps, and bridge crossings.

(f) Alewife and blueback herring, excluding those less than 6 inches in length collected from Kerr Reservoir (Granville, Vance, and Warren counties), may not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0424 sharks

Sharks shall not be taken or possessed.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0425 sheepshead

(a) The daily creel limit for sheepshead is 10 fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 10 inches.

(d) Sheepshead shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0426 spanish mackerel

(a) The daily creel limit for Spanish mackerel is 15 fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 12 inches.

(d) Spanish mackerel shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0427 spot

(a) The daily creel limit for spot is 50 fish.

(b) There is no minimum size limit.

(d) Spot shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0428 tarpon

Tarpon shall not be taken or possessed.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0429 weakfish (gray trout)

(a) The daily creel limit for weakfish (gray trout) is one fish.

(b) The minimum size limit is 12 inches.

(d) Weakfish shall not be sold.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

15A NCAC 10C .0430 other fishes

(a) For any nongame fish species not specifically listed in this Section, there is no daily creel limit.

(b) There is no size limit.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.

SECTION .0500 – PRIMARY NURSERY AREAS

15A NCAC 10C .0501 SCOPE AND PURPOSE

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134;

Eff. September 1, 1990;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000;

Repealed Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0502 PRIMARY NURSERY AREAS DEFINED

Primary nursery areas are defined as those areas inhabited by the embryonic, larval, or juvenile life stages of marine or estuarine fish or crustacean species due to favorable physical, chemical, or biological factors.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134;

Eff. August 1, 1990;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0503 DESCRIPTIVE BOUNDARIES

The following waters have been designated as primary nursery areas:

(1) North River:

(a) Broad Creek ‑ Camden County ‑ Entire stream;

(b) Deep Creek ‑ Currituck County ‑ Entire stream; and

(2) Alligator River:

(a) East Lake ‑ Dare County ‑ Inland waters portion; and

(b) Little Alligator River ‑ Tyrrell County ‑ Entire stream.

(3) Currituck Sound:

(a) Martin Point Creek ‑ Dare County ‑ Entire stream (Jean Guite Creek); and

(b) Tull Creek and Bay ‑ Currituck County ‑ Tull Bay to mouth of Northwest River; Tull Creek from mouth upstream to SR 1222 bridge.

(4) Pamlico River:

(a) Duck Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream;

(b) Bath Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream;

(d) Porter Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream;

(e) Tooleys Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream;

(f) Jacobs Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream;

(g) Jacks Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream;

(h) Bond Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream;

(i) Muddy Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream;

(j) Strawhorn Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream;

(k) South Prong Wright Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream; and

(l) Jordan Creek ‑ Beaufort County ‑ Entire stream.

(5) Neuse River:

(a) Slocum Creek ‑ Craven County ‑ Entire stream; and

(b) Hancock Creek ‑ Craven County ‑ Entire stream.

(6) New River:

(a) French Creek ‑ Onslow County ‑ Entire stream; and

(b) New River ‑ Onslow County ‑ US Highway 17 bridge to NC 24/US 258 bridge.

(7) Roanoke River: Halifax and Northampton counties - US 258 bridge to Roanoke Rapids dam.

(8) Tar-Pamlico River: Nash, Edgecombe, Pitt and Beaufort counties - N&S railroad at Washington upstream to Rocky Mount Mills Dam.

(9) Neuse River: Wake, Johnston, Wayne, Lenoir, Pitt and Craven counties - Pitchkettle Creek upstream to Milburnie Dam.

(10) Cape Fear River: Chatham, Lee, Harnett, Cumberland and Bladen counties - Lock and Dam No. 1 upstream to Buckhorn Dam.

(11) Albemarle Sound: Peter Mashoes Creek – Dare County – Entire Stream.

(12) Croatan Sound: Spencer Creek – Dare County – Entire Stream.

(13) White Oak River: Onslow and Jones counties – Grants Creek upstream to Gibson Bridge Road (SR 1118).

(14) Northeast Cape Fear River: Pender County – NC 210 bridge upstream to NC 53 bridge.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134;

Eff. August 1, 1990;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2008; November 1, 2007; August 1, 2004; July 1, 2000; July 1, 1993;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

SECTION .0600 - ANADROMOUS FISH SPAWNING AREAS

15A NCAC 10C .0601 SCOPE AND PURPOSE

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-132; 113-134;

Eff. May 1, 2008;

Repealed Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0602 ANADROMOUS FISH SPAWNING areas DEFINED

Anadromous fish spawning areas are those areas where evidence of spawning of anadromous fishes has been documented by direct observation of spawning, capture of running ripe females, or capture of eggs or early larvae.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-132; 113-134;

Eff. May 1, 2008;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

15A NCAC 10C .0603 DESCRIPTIVE BOUNDARIES

The following waters have been designated as anadromous spawning areas:

(1) Currituck Sound Area:

(a) Northwest River including designated tributaries - main stem waters west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 30.8374' N – 76° 04.8770' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 30.7061' N – 76° 04.8916' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 33.0259' N – 76° 09.1609' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 33.0292' N – 76° 08.9488' W; including the following tributary from the confluence with Northwest River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Moyock Run (Shingle Landing Creek) - upstream (southwest) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 31.5252' N – 76° 10.7385' W; running easterly along US 168 (Caratoke Highway) to the east shore to a point 36° 31.5140' N – 76° 10.7239 W.

(b) Tull Creek - southwest of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 30.0991' N – 76° 04.8587' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 29.9599' N – 76° 04.7126' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with Tull Creek to the specified boundary:

(i) Roland Creek - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 29.8274' N – 76° 08.1294' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 29.8120' N – 76° 08.1308' W; and east of a line beginning on the northwest shore of Guinea Mill Run Canal at a point 36° 28.9227' N – 76° 07.9126' W; running southerly along US 168 bridge (Caratoke Highway) to the southeast shore at a point 36° 28.9045' N – 76° 07.8956' W.

(ii) New Bridge Creek - upstream (south) to a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 28.0046' N – 76° 06.3312' W; running southeasterly along US 168 bridge (Caratoke Highway) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 27.9970' N – 76° 06.3243' W.

(iii) Cowells Creek - upstream (south) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 27.1571' N – 76° 04.5391' W; running easterly along US 168 bridge (Caratoke Highway) to the east shore to a point 36° 27.1542' N – 76° 04.5128' W.

(iv) Buckskin Creek - upstream (southeast) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 27.1925' N – 76° 04.1671' W; running easterly along US 168 bridge (Caratoke Highway) to the east shore to a point 36° 27.1989' N – 76° 04.1400' W.

(c) West Landing - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 30.9867' N – 76° 02.5868' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 31.0045' N – 76° 02.3780' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 31.5828' N – 76° 02.2977' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 31.5618' N – 76° 02.2870' W.

(2) Albemarle Sound Area:

(a) Big Flatty Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 09.3267' N – 76° 08.2562' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 08.9730' N – 76° 08.3175' W; including the following tributaries from the confluence with Big Flatty Creek in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(i) Chapel Creek - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 09.6689' N – 76° 09.9595' W; running southerly along SSR 1103 (Esclip Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 09.6522' N – 76° 09.9612' W.

(ii) Mill Dam Creek - upstream (southwest) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 09.0094' N – 76° 10.1667' W; running southerly along SSR 1103 (Esclip Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 08.9931' N – 76° 10.1611'W.

(b) Salmon Creek - southwest of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 00.4648' N – 76° 42.3513' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 00.3373' N – 76° 42.1499' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 02.4783' N – 76° 45.8164' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 02.4807' N – 76° 45.7906' W.

(c) Mackeys (Kendrick) Creek - southeast of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 56.3806' N – 76° 36.4356' W; running southwesterly to the south shore to a point 35° 56.3122' N – 76° 36.4613' W; and northwest of a line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 35° 52.5564' N – 76° 37.0968' W; running northeasterly along SSR 1122 bridge (Buncombe Avenue) to the northeast shore to a point 35° 52.5470' N – 76° 37.1113' W; including the following tributary from its confluence with Mackeys Creek in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Main Canal - upstream (southeast) to a line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 35° 52.8229' N – 76° 36.6916' W; running northeasterly along SSR 1122 (Buncombe Avenue) to the northeast shore to a point 35° 52.8390' N – 76° 36.6708' W.

(d) Deep Creek (Washington County) - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 56.1291' N – 76° 23.1179' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 56.0744' N – 76° 23.1230' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 55.4610' N – 76° 25.3996' W; running southerly along SSR 1302 bridge (Pea Ridge Road) to the south shore to a point 35° 55.4323' N – 76° 25.3974' W; and east of line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 55.7173' N – 76° 25.3848' W; running southerly along SSR 1302 bridge (Pea Ridge Road) to the south shore to a point 35° 55.6863' N – 76° 25.3957' W.

(e) Banton (Bunton or Maybell) Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 56.0552' N – 76° 22.0664' W; running northeasterly to the east shore to a point 35° 56.1151' N – 76° 21.8760' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 55.6117' N – 76° 22.2463' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 55.6128' N – 76° 22.2126' W.

(f) Tom Mann Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 58.5296' N – 75° 52.8982' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 58.5175' N – 75° 53.6851' W.

(g) Peter Mashoes Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 57.2344' N – 75° 48.3087' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 56.7805' N – 75° 48.3563' W.

(3) North River, including Indiantown Creek and other designated tributaries - main stem waters west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 18.7703' N – 75° 58.7384' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 18.4130' N – 75° 58.7228' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 21.7982' N – 76° 07.0726' W; running easterly along US 158 bridge to the east shore to a point 36° 21.8030' N – 76° 07.0612' W; including the following tributary from the confluence with North River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Crooked Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 18.7171' N – 76° 01.4361' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 18.7002' N – 76° 01.4296' W.

(4) North River Area: Bump Landing Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 19.3757' N – 75° 57.9057' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 19.2496' N – 75° 57.9107' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 19.4049' N – 75° 57.4963' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 19.3830' N – 75° 57.5098' W.

(a) Narrow Ridges Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 18.3249' N – 75° 57.8910' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 18.1388' N – 75° 57.9029' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 18.1566' N – 75° 57.4879' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 18.1221' N – 75° 57.5095' W.

(b) Great Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 18.1045' N – 75° 58.4289' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 17.9882' N – 75° 58.4458' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 17.1310' N – 76° 00.3414'W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 17.1163' N – 76° 00.3310' W. On the north shore of Great Creek within the fourth tributary: south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 18.1729' N – 75° 58.9137' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 18.1640' N – 75° 58.9022' W.

(c) Deep Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 17.1576' N – 75° 56.7594' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 16.9846' N – 75° 56.6802' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 17.9515' N – 75° 56.5174' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 17.9523' N – 75° 56.5042' W.

(d) Public Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 17.2462' N – 75° 58.2774' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 17.2121' N – 75° 58.2788' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 17.1661' N – 75° 58.6059' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 17.1574' N – 75° 58.6003' W.

(5) Pasquotank River including designated tributaries - main stem waters north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 18.0769' N – 76° 13.0979' W; running easterly along the south side of the US 158 bridge to the east shore to a point 36° 18.0594' N – 76° 12.9620' W and south of a line at South Mills beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 26.7432' N – 76° 19.6666' W; running easterly along US 17 business (Main Street) to the east shore to a point 36° 26.7642' N – 76° 19.5932' W; and southeast of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 36° 26.1777' N – 76° 22.1079' W; running southwesterly to the southwest shore to a point 36° 26.1693' N – 76° 22.1257' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with the Pasquotank River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) Joyce Creek - upstream (northeast) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 26.8329' N – 76° 17.6174' W; running southwesterly along SSR 1224 bridge (Old Swamp Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 26.8103' N – 76° 17.6193' W.

(b) Sawyers Creek - upstream (northeast) to a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 36° 21.7237' N – 76° 10.2841' W; running southwesterly along SSR 1203 bridge (Scotland Road) to the southwestern shore to a point 36° 21.7115' N – 76° 10.3041' W.

(c) Knobbs Creek - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 18.5172' N – 76° 14.5920' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1309 bridge (Main Street Extended) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 18.4973' N – 76° 14.5729' W.

(6) Pasquotank River Area:

(a) Charles Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 17.8090' N – 76° 13.0732' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 17.8024' N – 76° 13.0407' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 17.4713' N – 76° 13.2227' W; running southeasterly along NC 34 (Road Street) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 17.4565' N – 76° 13.2140' W.

(b) Areneuse Creek and Mill Dam Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 17.3133' N – 76° 08.1655' W; running southeasterly along NC 343 bridge to the east shore to a point 36° 17.1328' N – 76° 07.6269' W; and southwest of a line beginning on the west shore of Mill Dam Creek at a point 36° 18.5994' N – 76° 07.8672' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 18.5991' N – 76° 07.8379' W; and southwest of a line beginning on the northwest shore of Areneuse Creek at a point 36° 18.0342' N – 76° 06.9433' W, running southeasterly along NC 343 bridge to the southeast shore to a point 36° 18.0196' N – 76° 06.9245' W.

(c) Portohonk Creek - northeast of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 15.0519' N – 76° 05.2793' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 15.0391' N – 76° 05.2532' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 16.2809' N – 76° 04.8223' W; running easterly along NC 343 bridge to the east shore to a point 36° 16.2794' N – 76° 04.8051' W.

(d) New Begun Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 13.3298' N – 76° 08.2878' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 13.0286' N – 76° 08.1820' W; and southeast of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 36° 12.5577' N – 76° 10.3998' W; running southwesterly along NC 34 bridge (Weeksville Road) to the southwest shore to a point 36° 12.5467' N – 76° 10.4186' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 36° 12.3280' N – 76° 10.4934' W; running northwesterly to the northwest shore to a point 36° 12.3067' N – 76° 10.5438' W.

(7) Little River including designated tributaries - main stem wasters northwest of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 12.2950' N – 76° 17.1405' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 12.5237' N – 76° 16.9418' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 16.9826' N – 76° 23.1763' W; running easterly along SSR 1223 (Five Bridges Road, Perquimans County) and SSR 1303 (Cherry Glade Road, Pasquotank County) bridge to the east shore to a point 36° 16.9840' N – 76° 23.1570' W; including the following tributary from the confluence with Little River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Halls Creek - upstream (northeast) to a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36°13.2067' N – 76° 16.5769' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1140 (Halls Creek Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 13.1944' N – 76° 16.5523' W.

(8) Little River Area:

(a) Deep Creek - southwest of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 11.0945' N – 76° 16.6717' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 10.7510' N – 76° 16.2258' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 10.2553' N – 76° 18.7639' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 10.2633' N – 76° 18.7267' W.

(b) Symonds Creek - northeast of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 10.2898' N – 76° 14.1801' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 10.2042' N – 76° 14.0368' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 11.4843' N – 76° 13.7218' W; running easterly along SSR 1100 bridge (Nixonton Road) to the east shore to a point 36° 11.4839' N – 76° 13.7028' W.

(9) Perquimans River including designated tributaries - main stem waters southwest of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 11.6569' N – 76° 28.0055' W; running southeasterly along the US 17 business bridge (Church Street) to the east shore to a point 36° 11.6123' N – 76° 27.9382' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 18.8942' N – 76° 31.1905' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 18.8723' N – 76° 31.1734' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 18.9514' N – 76° 32.6510' W; running easterly along SSR 1202 bridge (Perry Bridge Road) to the east shore to a point 36° 18.9361' N – 76° 32.6584' W; including the following tributary from the confluence with the Perquimans River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Goodwin Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 11.2807' N – 76° 33.6243' W; running southerly along SSR 1110 bridge (Center Hill Highway) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 11.2585' N – 76° 33.5755' W; and north to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 11.0494' N – 76° 32.3409' W; running easterly along SSR 1110 bridge (Center Hill Highway) to the east shore to a point 36° 11.0383' N – 76° 32.2780' W.

(10) Perquimans River Area:

(a) Mill Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 11.9757' N – 76° 27.5752' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 11.9766' N – 76° 27.2511' W; and southwest of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 13.2910' N – 76° 26.6778' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1214 bridge (Lake Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 13.2762' N – 76° 26.6580' W.

(b) Walter's Creek - southwest of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 11.1305' N – 76° 27.9185' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 11.0224' N – 76° 27.6626' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 36° 10.0498' N – 76° 28.4208' W; running southwesterly along US 17 to the southwest shore to a point 36° 10.0408' N – 76° 28.4354' W.

(c) Suttons Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 10.0394' N – 76° 23.7945' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 09.9325' N – 76° 23.5263' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 11.5101' N – 76° 23.6253' W; running easterly along SSR 1300 bridge (New Hope Road) to the east shore to a point 36° 11.5081' N – 76° 23.6060' W.

(d) Jackson (Cove) Creek - northeast of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 08.4642' N – 76° 20.3324' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 08.4159' N – 76° 20.2890' W; and southwest of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 08.6083' N – 76° 20.1512' W; running southeasterly to the southeast shore to a point 36° 08.6007' N – 76° 20.1312' W.

(e) Muddy Creek - northwest of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 07.0381' N – 76° 17.1350' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 07.0218' N – 76° 17.1226' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 07.5922' N – 76° 16.8153' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 07.5933' N – 76° 16.7757' W.

(11) Yeopim River including designated tributaries - main stem waters west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 05.4526' N – 76° 27.7651' W; running southerly to the south shore to Norcum Point 36° 05.1029' N – 76° 27.7120' W; and southeast of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 05.1202' N – 76° 29.5050' W; running southwesterly to a point 36° 05.0644' N – 76° 29.5586' W; and running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 05.0571' N – 76° 29.4657' W; including the following tributaries from the confluence with Yeopim River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) Yeopim Creek - upstream (north) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 07.4416' N – 76° 26.4833' W; running easterly along SSR 1347 (Holiday Island Road) to the east shore to a point 36° 07.4409' N – 76° 26.4667' W.

(b) Bethel Creek - upstream (north) to a line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 36° 07.1208' N – 76° 29.3581' W; running northeasterly to the northeast shore to a point 36° 07.1724' N – 76° 29.2818' W.

(c) Burnt Mill Creek - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 36° 05.7727' N – 76° 32.6234' W; running southwesterly along US 17 to the southwest shore to a point 36° 05.7663' N – 76° 32.6374' W.

(d) Middleton Creek - upstream (southeast) to a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 04.2913' N – 76° 30.2613' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1100 bridge (Drummond Point Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 04.2813' N – 76° 30.2460' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 04.0714' N – 76° 29.5779' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1100 (Drummond Point Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 04.0639' N – 76° 29.5583' W.

(12) Edenton Bay Area:

(a) Pembroke Creek (Pollock Swamp) - northwest of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 03.2819' N – 76° 37.0138' W; running northeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 03.4185' N – 76° 36.6783' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 08.1216' N – 76° 37.7846' W; running southerly along SSR 1316 bridge (Greenhall Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 08.1035' N – 76° 37.7818' W.

(b) Queen Anne Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 03.3757' N – 76° 36.3629' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 03.3551' N – 76° 36.3574' W; and southwest of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 03.5719' N – 76° 35.0968' W; running southeasterly along NC 32 bridge (Yeopim Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 03.5659' N – 76° 35.0796' W.

(13) Chowan River Area:

(a) Buckhorn Creek (Hertford County) - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 31.9519' N – 76° 55.2580' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 31.9628' N – 76° 55.2429' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 31.9443' N – 76° 55.8902' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 31.9099' N – 76° 55.8904' W.

(b) Somerton Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 31.7177' N – 76° 54.8327' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 31.7143' N – 76° 54.7810' W; and south of the NC/VA state line.

(i) Vaughan's Creek (Kirby's Creek) - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 28.3541' N – 77° 05.6259' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 28.3307' N – 77° 05.6369' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 28.7019' N – 77° 08.7566' W; running southerly along SSR 1362 bridge (Watson Mill Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 28.6834' N – 77° 08.7593' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 28.0921' N – 77° 08.5719' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1362 bridge (Watson Mill Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 28.0787' N – 77° 08.5557' W. Turkey Creek - from the confluence with Vaughan's Creek upstream; and northeast of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 27.8047' N – 77° 07.7316' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1363 (Turkey Branch Road, Northampton County) and SSR 1300 bridge (Wise Store Road, Hertford County) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 27.7957' N – 77° 07.7170' W.

(ii) Potecasi Creek - southwest of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 26.1234' N – 76° 57.5262' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 26.1005' N – 76° 57.4960' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 22.1250' N – 77° 05.3109' W; running southerly along SSR 1160 bridge (Spring Avenue) to the south shore to a point 36° 22.1035' N – 77° 05.3220' W.

(A) Old Tree Swamp - from the confluence with Potecasi Creek upstream to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 22.5909' N – 77° 04.0382' W; running easterly along SSR 1167 bridge (Beaver Dam Road) to the east shore to a point 36° 22.5895' N – 77° 04.0192' W.

(B) Cutawhiskie Creek - from the confluence with Potecasi Creek upstream to a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 21.2751' N – 77° 04.3761' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1137 bridge (Liverman Mill Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 21.2583' N - 77° 04.3461' W.

(d) Mud Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 23.5134' N – 76° 53.9131' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 23.5132' N – 76° 53.8815' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 23.6287' N – 76° 53.8782' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 23.5943' N – 76° 53.8784' W.

(e) Catherine Creek (Hertford County) - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 22.9579' N – 76° 53.1994' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 22.9456' N – 76° 53.1742' W; and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 22.7142' N – 76° 53.1872' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 22.7209' N – 76° 53.1631' W.

(f) Buckhorn Creek (Run Off Swamp)(Gates County) - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 22.9682' N – 76° 51.9172' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 22.9614' N – 76° 51.8870' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 23.3321' N – 76° 52.0233' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 23.3101' N – 76° 52.0244' W.

(g) Spikes Creek - northwest of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 22.6515' N – 76° 50.8882' W; running northeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 22.6684' N – 76° 50.8493' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 22.9574' N – 76°51.4953' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 22.9419' N – 76° 51.4959' W.

(h) Barnes Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 21.8820' N – 76° 48.6419' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 21.8978' N – 76° 48.5902' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 22.8208' N – 76° 50.0931' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 22.7839' N – 76° 50.0941' W.

(i) Shingle (Island) Creek - north of a line beginning on the north shore of the western most entrance into Chowan River at a point 36° 21.8449' N – 76° 48.0940' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 21.7831' N – 76° 48.0427' W. At the eastern most entrance to the creek: north of a line beginning of the west shore at a point 36° 21.8469' N – 76° 47.2668' W; running northeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 21.9062' N – 76° 47.1862' W.

(j) Sarem Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 21.7259' N – 76° 46.4085' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 21.6748' N – 76° 46.4392' W; and southeast of a line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 36° 25.0514' N – 76° 49.4791' W; running northeasterly along SSR 1118 bridge (Taylors Road) to the northeast shore to a point 36° 25.0710' N – 76° 49.4657' W; including the following tributary from the confluence with Sarem Creek in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Cole Creek - upstream (northeast) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 24.5075' N – 76° 47.0641' W; running easterly along NC 37 bridge to the east shore to a point 36° 24.5048' N – 76° 47.0397' W.

(k) Hodges Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 21.2459' N – 76° 46.3421' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 21.1823' N – 76° 46.3243' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 21.1597' N – 76° 46.6073' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 21.1309' N – 76° 46.6084' W.

(l) Wiccacon River including designated tributaries - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 20.5439' N – 76° 45.4550' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 20.4684' N – 76° 45.3392' W; and east of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 36° 19.0196' N – 76° 53.5596' W; running southwesterly to the southwest shore to a point 36° 18.9936' N – 76° 53.5751' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with Wiccacon River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(i) Ahoskie Creek - upstream (south) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 16.4860' N – 76° 54.1172' W; running easterly along NC 561 to the east shore to a point 36° 16.4796' N – 76° 54.0933' W.

(ii) Chinkapin Creek - upstream (southwest) to a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 15.1763' N – 76° 50.9758' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1432 bridge (Big Mill Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 15.1671' N – 76° 50.9567' W.

(m) Beef Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 20.3235' N – 76° 44.6401' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 20.3070' N – 76° 44.5797' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 20.9720' N – 76° 44.7930' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 21.0058' N – 76° 44.7931' W.

(n) Goose Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 19.5838' N – 76° 44.5971' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 19.5375' N – 76° 44.5925' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 19.9806' N – 76° 45.2656' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 19.9799' N – 76° 45.2356' W.

(o) Swain Mill (Taylor Pond) Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 18.5808' N – 76° 43.4729' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 18.5616' N – 76° 43.4706' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 18.5029' N – 76° 43.5882' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1441 bridge (Swain Mill Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 18.4906' N – 76° 43.5694' W.

(p) Bennetts Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 18.3499' N – 76° 42.0286' W; running northeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 18.4057' N – 76° 41.6986' W; and southwest of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 25.9349' N – 76° 41.9859' W; running southeasterly along the Merchants Mill Pond Dam to the southeast shore to a point 36° 25.9154' N – 76° 41.9530' W.

(q) Catherine Creek including designated tributaries -main stem waters northeast of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 18.1011' N – 76° 41.1286' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 17.9413' N – 76° 40.8627' W; including the following tributaries from the confluence with Catherine Creek in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(i) Trotman Creek - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 20.8213' N – 76° 38.1714' W; running southerly along NC 32 bridge to the south shore to a point 36° 20.7989' N – 76° 38.1646' W.

(ii) Warwick Creek - upstream (northeast) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 19.8212' N – 76° 38.0409' W; running southerly along NC 32 bridge to the south shore to a point 36° 19.7833' N – 76° 38.0235' W.

(r) Stumpy Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 16.6440' N – 76° 40.4251' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 16.6255' N – 76° 40.4196' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 16.7331' N – 76° 39.9154' W; running southerly along SSR 1232 bridge (Cannon Ferry Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 16.7220' N – 76° 39.9220' W.

(s) Dillard (Indian) Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 14.2234' N – 76° 41.5901' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 14.2023' N – 76° 41.5855' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 13.7727' N – 76° 40.3878' W; running southerly along SSR 1226 (Dillards Mill Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 13.7592' N – 76° 40.3875' W.

(t) Keel (Currituck) Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 14.1245' N – 76° 44.1961' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 14.0899' N – 76° 43.8533' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 15.2755' N – 76° 43.5077' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 15.2746' N – 76° 43.4750' W.

(u) Rocky Hock Creek - east of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 06.5662' N – 76° 41.3108' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 36° 06.6406' N – 76° 41.4512' W; and southwest of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 08.3485' N – 76° 39.9790' W; running southeasterly along the face of Bennett Mill Pond Dam to the southeast shore to a point 36° 08.3353' N – 76° 39.9603' W.

(14) Cashie River including designated tributaries - main stem waters west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 54.7865' N – 76° 49.0521' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 54.6691' N – 76° 49.0553' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 05.7521' N – 77° 04.0494' W; running southerly along SSR 1260 bridge (Republican Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 05.7171' N – 77° 04.0344' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with Cashie River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) Connarista Swamp - upstream (north) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 06.4489' N – 77° 02.4658' W; running easterly along SSR 1221 bridge (Charles Taylor Road) to the east shore to a point 36° 06.4501' N – 77° 02.4236' W.

(b) Whiteoak Swamp - upstream (northeast) to a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 04.6654' N – 76° 58.5841' W; running southeasterly along US 13 to the southeast shore to a point 36° 04.6480' N – 76° 58.5676' W.

(c) Chiska Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 02.5659' N – 77° 02.3636' W; running southerly along SSR 1112 bridge (Roquist Pocosin Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 02.5463' N – 77° 02.3730' W.

(d) Hoggard Mill Creek - upstream (north) to a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 01.5828' N – 76° 56.9799' W; running southeasterly along the Hoggard Mill Pond Dam to the southeast shore to a point 36° 01.5479' N – 76° 56.9556' W.

(e) Roquist Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 36° 00.6453' N – 77° 02.8441' W; running southwesterly along SSR 1112 bridge (Roquist Pocosin Road) to the southwest shore to a point 36° 00.6119' N – 77° 02.8719' W.

(f) Wading Place Creek - upstream (east) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 58.1755' N – 76° 53.0010' W; running easterly along NC 308 bridge (Cooper Hill Road) to the east shore to a point 35° 58.1631' N – 76° 52.9542' W.

(15) Cashie River Area:

(a) Broad Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 55.0568' N – 76° 45.2632' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 55.0543' N – 76° 45.1309' W.

(b) Grennel Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35°55.3147' N – 76° 44.5010' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 55.2262' N – 76° 44.5495' W.

(c) Cashoke Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 56.2934' N – 76° 44.1769' W; running southwesterly to the south shore to a point 35° 56.2623' N – 76° 44.1993' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 56.3383' N – 76° 44.5958' W; running southerly along NC 45 bridge to the south shore to a point 35° 56.2839' N – 76° 44.5836' W.

(16) Roanoke River including designated tributaries - main stem waters northwest of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 12.5264' N – 77° 23.0223' W; running northeasterly along the south side of the US 258 bridge to the east shore to a point 36° 12.5674' N – 77° 22.9724' W; to the base of the Roanoke Rapids Dam; including the following tributary from the confluence with Roanoke River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Bridgers Creek - upstream (northeast) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 15.0786' N – 77° 22.3766' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 15.0846' N – 77° 22.3083' W.

(17) Roanoke River Area:

(a) Kehukee Swamp - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 05.1942' N – 77° 18.9596' W; running southwesterly to the south shore to a point 36° 05.1670' N – 77° 18.9761' W; and south of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 36° 05.7019' N – 77° 19.3686' W; running southwesterly to the southwest shore to a point 36° 05.6909' N – 77° 19.3902' W.

(b) Wire Gut - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 00.9580' N – 77° 13.0755' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 00.9542' N – 77° 13.0320' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 01.4294' N – 77° 13.6239' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 01.3873' N – 77° 13.6270' W.

(c) Apple Tree Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 00.4174' N – 77° 12.3252' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 36° 00.3987' N – 77° 12.3088' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 36° 02.3508' N – 77° 13.6900' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 36° 02.3497' N – 77° 13.6055' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 01.9425' N – 77° 12.4225' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 36° 01.9066' N – 77° 12.4222' W.

(d) Indian Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 59.0794' N – 77° 11.4926' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 59.0597' N – 77° 11.4967' W; and southwest of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 36° 03.5103' N – 77° 10.6537' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1108 bridge (Indian Woods Road) to the southeast shore to a point 36° 03.4917' N – 77° 10.6402' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 02.3940' N – 77° 09.3722' W; running southerly along SSR 1108 bridge (Indian Woods Road) to the south shore to a point 36° 02.3787' N – 77° 09.3711' W.

(e) Prices Gut - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 57.3701' N – 77° 11.9815' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 57.3552' N – 77° 11.9796' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 57.4077' N – 77° 12.0401' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 57.3763' N – 77° 12.0135' W.

(f) Rainbow Gut - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 55.9334' N – 77° 11.3246' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 55.9275' N – 77° 11.3136' W.

(g) Coniott Creek including designated tributaries - main stem waters west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 56.6562' N – 77° 04.2860' W; running southwesterly to the south shore to a point 35° 56.6397' N – 77° 04.3066' W; and southeast of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 59.4139' N – 77° 08.2158' W; running southwesterly along SSR 1122 bridge (Broad Neck Road) to the southwest shore to a point 35° 59.3976' N – 77° 08.2491' W; including the following tributary from the confluence with Coniott Creek in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Frog Level Swamp - upstream to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 58.0087' N – 77° 06.3447' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 57.9223' N – 77° 06.3483' W.

(h) Conoho Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 52.5439' N – 77° 02.6673' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 52.5407' N – 77° 02.6280' W; and southeast of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 58.3271' N – 77° 17.6825' W; running southwesterly along NC 11 bridge to the southwest shore to a point 35° 58.3096' N – 77° 17.7006' W.

(i) Sweetwater Creek including designated tributaries - main stem east of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 51.6464' N – 77° 00.5090' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 35° 51.6252' N – 77° 00.4879' W; and northwest of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 48.6186' N – 77° 02.0173' W; running southwesterly along SSR 1501 bridge (Big Mill Road) to the southwest shore to a point 35° 48.5968' N – 77° 02.0311' W; including the following tributary from the confluence with Sweetwater Creek in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Peter Swamp - upstream (southeast) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 49.0798' N – 77° 00.2510' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 49.0705' N – 77° 00.2118' W.

(j) Unnamed Tributary (upstream of Old Mill Creek) - northwest of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 53.9775' N – 76° 56.6431' W; running southwesterly to the southwest shore to a point 35° 53.9913' N – 76° 56.6238' W; and southeast of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 54.1143' N – 76° 56.8761' W; running southwesterly along SSR 1542 bridge (Bertie County) to the southwest shore to a point 35° 54.0927' N – 76° 56.8956' W.

(k) Old Mill Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 53.9483' N – 76° 55.3921' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 35° 53.9378' N – 76° 55.3710' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 54.3010' N – 76° 55.0492' W; running easterly along SSR 1518 bridge (Bertie County) to the east shore to a point 35° 54.3085' N – 76° 55.0164' W.

(l) Gardner Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35°50.1599' N – 76° 56.0211' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 50.1633' N – 76° 55.9899' W; and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 48.4791' N – 76° 55.9768' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 48.4834' N – 76° 55.9378' W.

(m) Cut Cypress Creek - northeast of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 51.9465' N – 76° 53.5762' W; running southeasterly to the south shore to a point 35° 51.9229' N – 76° 53.5556' W.

(n) Roses Creek - southeast of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 50.1683' N – 76° 50.9664' W; running southwesterly to the south shore to a point 35° 50.1363' N – 76° 56.9907' W; and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 49.5501' N – 76° 50.7358' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 49.5649' N – 76° 50.6674' W.

(o) Broad Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 52.5191' N – 76° 50.4235' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 52.4262' N – 76° 50.3791' W.

(p) Welch Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 51.8458' N – 76° 45.8381' W; running easterly along the shoreline and across the mouths of the three creek entrances to the east shore to a point 35° 51.8840' N – 76° 45.6207' W; and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 49.7473' N – 76° 47.1058' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 49.7506' N – 76° 47.0778' W.

(q) Conaby Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 55.3779' N – 76° 42.4401' W; and running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 55.3752' N – 76° 42.3408' W; north of a line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 35° 51.6443' N – 76° 44.5188' W; running northeasterly to the northeast shore to a point 35° 51.6538' N – 76° 44.4926' W.

(18) Scuppernong River including designated tributaries - main stem waters south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 54.0158' N – 76° 15.4605' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 54.0406' N – 76° 15.3007' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 51.6231' N – 76° 26.1210' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 51.5952' N – 76° 26.1178' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with Scuppernong River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) First Creek (Rider's Creek) - upstream (south) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 53.5116' N – 76° 14.0222' W; running southerly along NC 94 bridge to the south shore to a point 35° 53.4948' N – 76° 14.0125' W.

(b) Second Creek - upstream (south) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 53.0541' N – 76° 15.1132' W; running southerly along SSR 1105 (Bodwell Road) to the south shore to a point 35° 53.0286' N – 76° 15.1211' W.

(i) Moccasin Canal;

(ii) Western (Enoch) Canal;

(iii) Mountain Canal;

(iv) Thirty-foot Canal;

(v) Somerset (Old) Canal;

(vi) Batava (Minerva, Magnolia, Bonarva) Canal; and

(vii) Bee Tree Canal.

(19) Alligator River Area:

(a) Little Alligator River - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 56.7640' N – 76° 01.0299' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 55.9362' N – 76° 01.2492' W; and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 56.4784' N – 76° 07.5433' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 56.4771' N – 76° 07.5076' W.

(b) East Lake - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 56.1676' N – 75° 55.2603' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 55.4727' N – 75° 55.5043' W; and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 58.6402' N – 75° 52.1855' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 58.5887' N – 75° 51.7080' W.

(c) Second Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 51.7616' N – 76° 03.5105' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 51.1317' N – 76° 03.8003' W.

(d) Milltail Creek - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 50.5192' N – 75° 58.6134' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 50.4956' N – 75° 58.6158' W; and northwest of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 47.7377' N – 75° 53.1295' W; running southwesterly to the southwest shore to a point 35° 47.7180' N – 75° 53.1295' W.

(e) Whipping Creek and Lake - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 41.3930' N – 76° 00.2481' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 41.3717' N – 76° 00.2554' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 42.1737' N – 75° 57.6728' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 42.1570' N – 75° 57.6732' W.

(f) Swan Creek and Lake - east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 40.2674' N – 76° 00.7360' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 40.2420' N – 76° 00.7548' W.

(20) Alligator River including designated tributary - main stem waters west of a line beginning on the north shore at Cherry Ridge Landing at a point 35° 42.2172' N – 76° 08.4686' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 42.1327' N – 76° 08.5002' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 36.0502' N – 76° 13.9734' W; running southerly along NC 94 to the south shore to a point 35° 36.0300' N – 76° 13.9779' W; including the following tributary from the confluence with Alligator River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary: Northwest Fork - upstream (north) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 43.6826' N – 76° 11.9538' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 43.6495' N – 76° 11.9692' W.

(21) Croatan Sound Area:

(a) Spencer Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 51.4205' N – 75° 45.0645' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 51.3876' N – 75° 45.0640' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore 35° 51.5597' N – 75° 45.0141' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 51.4624' N – 75° 45.0498' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 51.6783' N – 75° 44.9125' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 51.5693' N – 75° 45.0109' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 52.5133' N – 75° 46.3070' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 52.4635' N – 75° 46.3110' W.

(b) Callaghan Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 51.1312' N – 75° 45.1327' W; running southwesterly to the south shore to a point 35° 51.0953' N – 75° 45.1629' W; and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 50.0643' N – 75° 46.6041' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 50.0306' N – 75° 46.6034' W.

(22) Pamlico River Area:

(a) Chocowinity Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 30.4778' N – 77° 04.4049' W; running southerly to the east shore at a point 35° 30.4692' N – 77° 04.3862' W; and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 28.3423' N – 77° 05.0615' W; running easterly to the east shore at a point 35° 28.3413' N – 77° 05.0334' W.

(b) Blounts Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 23.9524' N – 76° 58.0357' W; running easterly to the east shore at a point 35° 23.9565' N – 76° 57.9576' W; and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 22.3210' N – 76° 57.7210' W; running easterly along NC 33 to the east shore at a point 35° 22.3080' N – 76° 57.6706' W; on Nancy Run, north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 22.7132' N – 76° 59.0317' W; running easterly along NC 33 to the east shore at a point 35° 22.7064' N – 76° 59.0191' W; on Herring Run, north and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 22.5435' N – 76° 56.9969' W; running southerly along SSR 1100 (Core Point Road) to the south shore at a point 35° 22.5168' N – 76° 57.0063' W.

(c) Durham Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 21.5669' N – 76° 51.9166' W; running easterly along the SSR 1955 bridge (Durham Creek Lane) to the east shore at a point 35° 21.5721' N – 76° 51.8621' W and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 19.1959' N – 76° 52.3278' W; running southeasterly along NC 33 to the east shore at a point 35° 19.1802' N – 76° 52.2947' W.

(d) Little Goose Creek - north and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 28.7258' N – 76° 55.8667' W; running southeasterly to the south shore at a point 35° 28.5986' N – 76° 55.7922' W and west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 29.0329' N – 76° 54.2344' W; running southeasterly along SSR 1334 (Camp Leach Road) to the south shore at a point 35° 29.0283' N – 76° 54.2228' W; and the unnamed northwest branch, south of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 29.4589' N – 76° 55.0263' W; running southwesterly to the south shore at a point 35° 29.4492' N – 76° 55.0322' W.

(e) Broad Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 30.0451' N – 76° 57.6152' W; running easterly to the east shore at a point 35° 30.0459' N – 76° 57.5318' W and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 32.1646' N – 76° 58.5193' W; running easterly along US 264 to the east shore at a point 35° 32.1588' N – 76° 58.5048' W.

(f) Runyon Creek - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 32.1615' N – 77° 02.3606' W; running easterly along the NC 32 bridge (Park Drive) to the east shore at a point 35° 32.1340' N – 77° 02.3438' W and south of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 33.0407' N – 77° 01.1497' W; running southeasterly to the south shore at a point 35° 33.0260' N – 77° 01.1449' W.

(23) Tar River including designated tributaries - main stem waters west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 33.1993' N – 77° 05.3977' W; running southerly to the south shore at a point 35° 32.9978' N – 77° 05.1529' W and east of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 57.6505' N – 77° 48.2537' W; running southeasterly along the Rocky Mount Mill Pond Dam to the south shore at a point 35° 57.5997' N – 77° 48.1412' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with Tar River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) Swift Creek - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 00.5829' N – 77° 39.9482' W; running southerly to the south shore at a point 36° 00.5413' N – 77° 39.9616' W.

(b) Fishing Creek - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 36° 08.0430' N – 77° 43.2829' W; running southerly to the south shore at a point 36° 08.0173' N – 77° 43.2921' W; on Deep Creek, upstream (northeast) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 57.8688' N – 77° 27.2298' W; running southeasterly to the south shore at a point 35° 57.8403' N – 77° 27.1890' W.

(c) Town Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 48.4135' N – 77° 36.7687' W; running southwesterly to the south shore at a point 35° 48.3728' N – 77° 36.7686' W.

(d) Otter Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 43.2448' N – 77° 31.9013' W; running easterly to the east shore at a point 35° 43.2385' N – 77° 31.8735' W.

(e) Tyson Creek - upstream (southwest) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 40.4470' N – 77° 30.7015' W; running easterly to the east shore at a point 35° 40.4107' N – 77° 30.6075' W.

(f) Conetoe Creek - upstream (north and east) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 44.5315' N – 77° 29.1676' W; running southerly to the south shore at a point 35° 44.5071' N – 77° 29.1894' W.

(g) Hardee Creek - upstream (southwest) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 35.6842' N – 77° 19.3857' W; running easterly to the east shore at a point 35° 35.6781' N – 77° 19.3680' W.

(h) Chicod Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 34.6186' N – 77° 14.0233' W; running southerly to the east shore at a point 35° 34.5985' N – 77° 14.0169' W.

(i) Old Grindle Creek - upstream (north) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 35.3098' N – 77° 09.9461' W; running southerly along SSR 1565 (Grimesland Bridge Road) to the south shore at a point 35° 35.2891' N – 77° 09.9511' W.

(j) Bear Creek - upstream (southwest) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 32.4699' N – 77° 07.4185' W; running easterly to the east shore at a point 35° 32.4697' N – 77° 07.3758' W.

(24) Tranters Creek including designated tributaries - main stem waters north and west of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 33.1993' N – 77° 05.3978' W; running easterly to the east shore at a point 35° 33.2408' N – 77° 05.0872' W and south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 45.7848' N – 77° 15.2294' W; running easterly to the east shore at a point 35° 45.7905' N – 77° 15.1931' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with Tranters Creek in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) Aggie Run - upstream (east) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 38.3433' N – 77° 05.5003' W; running southeasterly to the south shore at a point 35° 38.2633' N – 77° 05.4097' W.

(b) Cherry Run - upstream (northeast) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 35.1560' N – 77° 04.0436' W; running southerly along US 17 to the south shore at a point 35° 35.1404' N – 77° 04.0437' W.

(25) Lake Mattamuskeet - all waters and all inland manmade tributaries of Lake Mattamuskeet.

(26) Bay River Area: Trent Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 06.2738' N – 76° 43.1071' W; running easterly along the NC 55 bridge (Pamlico County) to the east shore to a point 35° 06.2603' N – 76° 43.0741' W; and north of a line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 35° 04.3545' N – 76° 42.8282' W; running northeasterly to the northeast shore to a point 35° 04.3686' N – 76° 42.8117' W.

(27) Neuse River including designated tributaries - main stem waters south of a line beginning on the east shore at a point 35° 47.9955' N – 78° 32.2902' W; running westerly along Milburnie Dam (Bridges Lake Dam) to the west shore to a point 35° 48.0280' N – 78° 32.3989' W; and northwest of a line near Pitch Kettle Creek beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 16.9793' N – 77° 15.5529' W; running south to the south shore to a point 35° 16.9237' N – 77° 15.5461' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with Neuse River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) Middle Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 35° 30.4489' N – 78° 24.1072' W; running northeasterly along the NC 210 bridge (Johnston County) to the northeast shore to a point 35° 30.4767' N – 78° 24.0676' W.

(b) Mill Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 20.7619' N – 78° 20.0813' W; running southerly along the SSR 1185 bridge (Joyner Bridge Road) to the south shore to a point 35° 20.7262' N – 78° 20.0938' W.

(c) Little River - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 35° 40.0035' N – 78° 15.5262' W; running northeasterly along the NC 42 bridge (Johnston County) to the northeast shore to a point 35° 40.0142' N – 78° 15.5060' W.

(d) Walnut Creek - upstream (north) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 15.5439' N – 77° 52.5703' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 15.5407' N – 77° 52.5574' W.

(e) Bear Creek - upstream (north) to a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 21.1265' N – 77° 49.1500' W; running southwesterly to the southwest shore to a point 35° 21.1125' N – 77° 49.1605' W.

(f) Falling Creek - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 15.6635' N – 77° 41.5862' W; running easterly along the US 70 bridge (Banks School Road) to the east shore to a point 35° 15.6687' N – 77° 41.5540' W.

(g) Contentnea Creek - upstream (northwest) to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 34.1707' N – 77° 47.5396' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 34.1704' N – 77° 47.4966' W.

(h) Halfmoon Creek - upstream (southwest) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 19.1578' N – 77° 20.2050' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 19.1335' N – 77° 20.2036' W.

(i) Village Creek - upstream (southwest) to a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 18.4795' N – 77° 18.1037' W; running southwesterly to the southwest shore to a point 35° 18.4603' N – 77° 18.1121' W.

(j) Kitten Creek - upstream (northwest) to include all waters.

(k) Core Creek - upstream (west) to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 10.7941' N – 77° 18.9102' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 10.7715' N – 77° 18.9012' W.

(l) Pitchkettle Creek - upstream (northwest) to include all waters.

(28) Neuse River Area:

(a) Turkey Quarter and Greens creeks - southeast of a line beginning on the west shore of Turkey Quarter Creek at a point 35° 15.6738' N – 77° 14.6823' W; running southeasterly to the southeast shore of Turkey Quarter Creek to a point 35° 15.6534' N – 77° 14.6470' W; and northwest of a line beginning on the north shore of Greens Creek at a point 35° 14.1883' N – 77° 11.8862' W; running southwesterly to the southwest shore of Greens Creek to a point 35° 14.1389' N – 77° 11.7535' W.

(b) Taylor Creek - northwest of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 14.3719' N – 77° 10.8050' W; running southwesterly to the south shore to a point 35° 14.3300' N – 77° 10.8352' W.

(c) Pine Tree Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 12.6663' N – 77° 07.4285' W; running southwesterly to the south shore to a point 35° 12.7033' N – 77° 07.3594' W and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 12.8553' N – 77° 07.8300' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 12.8372' N – 77° 07.7934' W and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 13.2012' N – 77° 08.7753' W; running southeasterly to the east shore to a point 35° 13.1714' N – 77° 08.7071' W.

(d) Swift and Little Swift creeks - north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 11.5972' N – 77° 06.0562' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 11.5816' N – 77° 05.9861' W for both creeks and south of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 17.8175' N – 77° 08.9421' W; running southwesterly along the SSR 1440 bridge (Streets Ferry Road) to the southwest shore to a point 35° 17.8027' N – 77° 08.9529' W for Swift Creek; and southwest of two lines, one beginning on the northwest shore of Fisher Swamp at a point 35° 14.6533' N – 77° 03.9072' W; running southeasterly to the southeast shore to a point 35° 14.6322' N – 77° 03.8983' W; and the other beginning on the northwest shore of Little Swift Creek at a point 35° 14.1315' N – 77° 03.6823' W; running southeasterly along the SR 1627 bridge (Craven County) to the southeast shore to a point 35° 14.1179' N – 77° 03.6676' W for Little Swift Creek.

(e) Bachelor Creek - west of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35°09.0099' N – 77° 04.5858' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 08.9085' N – 77° 04.7172' W and east of a line at Rollover Creek beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 07.9194' N – 77° 11.9438' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 07.8931' N – 77° 11.9445' W.

(f) Trent River Area:

(i) Brice Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 02.1261' N – 77° 02.1243' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 02.1268' N – 77° 02.1015' W and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 59.7828' N - 77° 00.0710' W; running easterly along the SSR 1101 bridge (County Line Road) to the east shore to a point 34° 59.7789' N - 77° 00.0534' W.

(ii) Mill Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 00.4595' N – 77° 12.8427' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 35° 00.4593' N – 77° 12.8160' W; and north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 59.8881' N – 77° 12.8536' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 34° 59.8878' N – 77° 12.8368' W.

(iii) Mill Run - southwest of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 35° 00.3766' N – 77° 16.8680' W;running southeasterly along the NC 58 bridge (Jones County) to the southeast shore to a point 35° 00.3654' N – 77° 16.8487' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 35° 00.0929' N – 77° 17.3282' W; running southeasterly to the southeast shore to a point 35° 00.0740' N – 77° 17.3024' W.

(g) Trent River including all the waters of Jumping Creek - main stem waters southwest of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 01.9478' N – 77° 15.6377' W; running easterly along the SSR 1121 bridge (Oak Grove Road) to the east shore to a point 35° 01.9506' N – 77° 15.6095' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the northeast shore at a point 35° 04.0759' N – 77° 35.3891' W; running southwesterly along the SSR 1153 bridge (Vine Swamp Road) to the southwest shore to a point 35° 04.0624' N – 77° 35.4063' W; including all the waters of Jumping Creek.

(h) Upper Broad Creek - northwest of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 06.8922' N – 76° 56.3911' W, running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 06.8623' N – 76° 56.3916' W and southeast of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 35° 08.3197' N – 76° 58.7314' W; running easterly along the NC 55 bridge at the Craven and Pamlico county line to the east shore to a point 35° 08.3209' N – 76° 58.6753' W.

(i) Beard Creek - northwest of a line beginning on the north shore at a point 35° 02.6853' N – 76° 52.3346' W; running southerly to the south shore to a point 35° 02.6663' N – 76° 52.3351' W and southeast of line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 35° 03.7198' N – 76° 52.6024' W; running northeasterly along the SSR 1115 bridge (Pamlico County) to the northeast shore to a point 35° 03.7258' N – 76° 52.5942' W.

(j) Dawson Creek - northwest of a line beginning on the southwest shore at a point 35° 01.8352' N – 76° 47.4672' W; running northeasterly to the northeast shore to a point 35° 01.8475' N – 76° 47.4283' W; and southeast of a line beginning on the southwest shore of Fork Run at a point 35° 02.1112' N – 76° 48.3083' W; running northeasterly along the SSR 1005 bridge (Pamlico County) to the northeast shore of Fork Run to a point 35° 02.1206' N – 76° 48.2922' W.

(k) Slocum Creek:

(i) Southwest Prong - southwest of a line beginning on the northwest shore at a point 34° 53.1520' N – 76° 55.8540' W; running southeasterly along the SSR 1746 bridge (Greenfield Heights Boulevard) to the southeast shore to a point 34° 53.1369' N – 76° 55.8460' W; and northeast of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 51.5981' N – 76° 57.1687' W; running easterly to the east shore to a point 34° 51.5935' N – 76° 57.1229' W.

(ii) East Prong - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 52.9687' N – 76° 54.5195' W; running easterly along the NC 101 bridge (Fontana Boulevard) to the east shore to a point 34° 52.9680' N – 76° 54.5020' W.

(l) Hancock Creek - south of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 52.1403' N – 76° 50.8518' W; running easterly along the NC 101 bridge (Craven County) to the east shore to a point 34° 52.1412' N – 76° 50.8382' W.

(29) White Oak River - main stem waters north and west of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 48.1466' N – 77° 11.4711' W; running easterly to a point on the west shore 34° 48.1620' N – 77° 11.4244' W; and south and east of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34.° 53.5120' N – 77° 51.4013' W; running easterly to a point on the east shore 34° 53.5009' N – 77° 14.0194' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with White Oak River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) Holston Creek - east to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34°49.6284' N – 77° 09.3783' W; running southerly to shore at a point 34° 49.6177' N – 77° 09.3670' W.

(b) Grant's Creek - west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34°47.9302' N – 77° 12.8060' W; running southerly along SSR 1434 bridge (Belgrade-Swansboro Road) to a point on the south shore 34° 47.9185' N – 77° 12.7954' W.

(30) New River - main stem waters north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 45.1654' N – 77° 26.1222' W; running easterly along the US Highway 17 bridge to a point on the east shore 34° 45.2007' N – 77° 25.9790' W; and south of a line beginning at a point on the west shore 34° 50.5818' N – 77° 30.1735' W running easterly along the SSR 1316 bridge (Rhodestown Road) to a point on the east shore 34° 50.5951' N – 77° 30.1534' W.

(31) Northeast and Little Northeast Creeks - north and east of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 44.0778' N – 77° 21.2640' W; running southeasterly along the railroad bridge to a point on the east shore 34° 44.0446' N – 77° 21.2126' W; and west of a line beginning on the north shore 34° 44.9055' N – 77° 19.7541' W; running southerly along SSR 1406 bridge (Piney Green Road) to a point on the south shore 34° 44.8881' N – 77° 19.7649' W.

(32) Northeast Cape Fear River - main stem waters north of a line beginning at a point on the west shore 34° 26.5658' N – 77° 50.0871' W; running northeasterly along the NC 210 bridge to a point on the east shore 34° 26.6065' N – 77° 49.9955' W and south of a line beginning on the west shore 34° 38.7667' N – 77° 52.3417' W running easterly along SSR 1318 bridge (Croomsbridge Road) to a point on the east shore 34° 38.7744' N – 77° 52.3093' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with the Northeast Cape Fear River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) Burgaw Creek - west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 32.4670' N – 77° 51.1705' W; running southerly along SSR 1411 bridge (Stag Park Road) to a point on the south shore 34° 32.4567' N – 77° 51.1711' W.

(b) Pike Creek - west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 28.7928' N – 77° 52.5148' W; running southerly along SSR 1411 bridge (Ashton Lake Road) to a point on the south shore 34° 28.7882' N – 77° 52.5261' W.

(c) Merrick Creek - north and east to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 26.8264' N – 77° 48.1948' W; running southerly along NC 210 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 26.8028' N – 77° 48.1797' W.

(d) Island Creek - south and east to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 22.0359' N – 77° 48.9107' W; running easterly along SSR 1002 bridge (Holly Shelter Road) to a point on the east shore 34° 22.0213' N – 77° 48.8854' W.

(e) Prince George Creek - south and east to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 20.6773' N – 77° 54.2113' W; running southerly along NC 133 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 20.6659' N – 77° 54.2170' W.

(f) Turkey Creek - north and east to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 23.8546' N – 77° 54.7872' W; running southerly along NC 133 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 23.8429' N – 77° 54.7772' W.

(g) Long Creek - north and west to a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 26.3494' N – 78° 01.5716' W; running easterly along NC 210 bridge to a point on the east shore 34° 26.3500' N – 78° 01.5396' W.

(33) Black River - north and west of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 22.0783' N – 78° 04.4123' W; running easterly to a point on the east shore 34° 21.9950' N – 78 ° 04.2864' W and south and east of a line beginning at a point on the north shore 34° 42.5285' N – 78° 15.8178' W; running southerly to a point on the south shore 34° 42.5008' N – 78° 15.7972' W. South River - south and east of a line beginning at a point on the west shore 34° 38.4120' N – 78° 18.7075' W; running easterly along SSR 1007 bridge (Ennis Bridge Road) to a point on the east shore 34° 38.4080' N – 78° 18.6727' W.

(34) Cape Fear River - main stem waters north and west of a line at Lock and Dam #1 beginning on the west shore at a point 34° 24.2628' N – 78° 17.6390' W; running easterly to a point on the east shore 34° 24.2958' N – 78° 17.5634' W and south and east of a line beginning at a point on the west shore 35° 24.8404' N – 78° 49.4267' W; running easterly to a point on the east shore 35° 24.8833' N – 78° 49.3288' W; including the following tributaries from their confluence with the Cape Fear River in the direction indicated to the specified boundary:

(a) Brown's Creek - south and west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 36.8641' N – 78° 35.0917' W; running southerly along NC 87 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 36.8477' N – 78° 35.0731' W.

(b) Hammond Creek - south and west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 34.032' N – 78° 30.3542' W; running southerly along NC 87 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 34.0142' N – 78° 30.3397' W.

(c) Steep Run - south and west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 25.5019' N – 78° 20.9934' W; running southerly along NC 87 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 25.4742' N – 78° 20.9549' W.

(d) Wayman's Creek - south and west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 22.4396' N – 78° 16.3904' W; running southerly along NC 87 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 22.4287' N – 78° 16.3723' W.

(e) Livingston Creek - south to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 19.5405' N – 78° 12.9889' W; running southerly along NC 87 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 19.5128' N – 78° 12.9727' W.

(f) Hood Creek - south and west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 18.6658' N – 78° 07.1988' W; running southerly along NC 87 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 18.6612' N – 78° 07.1741' W.

(g) Indian Creek - west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 17.7383' N – 78° 02.6706' W; running southerly along SSR 1453 bridge (Brunswick County) to a point on the south shore 34° 17.7210' N – 78° 02.6697' W.

(h) Sturgeon Creek - west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 14.6391' N – 78° 01.8154' W; running southerly to a point on the south shore 34° 14.5918' N – 78° 01.7941' W.

(i) Mill Creek - north and west of Sturgeon Creek to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 15.2342' N – 78° 01.6370' W; running southerly to a point on the south shore 34° 15.2024' N – 78° 01.6525' W.

(j) Alligator Creek - north of the Brunswick River to the origin of the Creek excluding the dredged portions of the Creek.

(k) Jackeys Creek - west of the Brunswick River to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 11.9672' N – 77° 58.8303' W; running southerly along the NC 133 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 11.9544' N – 77° 58.8307' W.

(l) Mallory Creek - west of the Brunswick River to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 10.0530' N – 77° 58.5927' W; running southerly along the NC Highway 133 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 10.0351' N – 77° 58.5942' W.

(m) Town Creek - west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 09.4084' N – 78° 05.5059' W; running southerly along US 17 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 09.3731' N – 78° 05.5147' W.

(n) Lilliput Creek - west to a line beginning on the north shore at a point 34° 04.5292' N – 77° 57.3187' W; running southerly along NC 133 bridge to a point on the south shore 34° 04.5137' N – 77° 57.3108' W.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-132; 113-134;

Eff. May 1, 2008;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.

SECTION .0700 – GAME FISH IN COASTAL FISHING WATERS

15A NCAC 10C .0701 INLAND GAME FISHES DESIGNATED IN COASTAL FISHING WATERS

(a) For the purposes of this Rule, only the following fishes are classified and designated as inland game fishes in coastal fishing waters:

(1) Alabama bass, largemouth bass, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass;

(2) black crappie and white crappie;

(3) chain pickerel (jack), muskellunge, and redfin pickerel;

(4) kokanee salmon;

(5) mountain trout, all species including but not limited to brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout;

(6) Roanoke bass and rock bass (redeye);

(7) sauger and walleye; and

(8) sunfish, including bluegill (bream), flier, pumpkinseed, redbreast (robin), redear (shellcracker), warmouth, and all other species of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) not specifically listed in this Rule.

(b) Inland game fishes shall not be taken by any method other than with hook and line, except that landing nets may be used to land fishes caught on hook and line.

(c) Size, creel limits, and seasons for inland game fishes in coastal fishing waters shall be the same as those in inland waters designated in Section .0300 of this Subchapter.

(d) Inland game fishes taken incidental to commercial fishing operations shall be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

(e) Inland game fishes taken from coastal fishing waters shall not be sold.

(f) Individuals shall only take up to the daily creel limit of those species of inland game fish having a specified creel limit.

(g) Individuals shall only possess, on those waters being fished:

(1) the specified daily creel limit for the species;

(2) fish conforming to the size limit for the species; and

(3) the daily creel limit while fishing or afield.

(h) Individuals shall only possess up to three days creel limit at any place.

(i) No person, while fishing or afield, shall:

(1) unnecessarily destroy any inland game fish taken from public fishing waters;

(2) remove the head or tail or otherwise change the appearance of any game fish having a size limit so to render it impracticable to measure its total original length; or

(3) change the appearance of any game fish having a daily creel limit so to obscure its identification or render it impracticable to count the number of fish in possession.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-135; 113-135.1; 113-292;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.