I LOCATION SIZE LIMIT DAILY CREEL LIMIT N L

Walleye A

- All other public fishing waters except those listed below None 8 N - and tributaries 15-inch minimum 8 D - Linville River upstream from N.C. 126 bridge None 4

- Lake Gaston 18-inch minimum 5 F I

- Roanoke Rapids Reservoir S

- John H. Kerr Reservoir H

Muskellunge I - All public fishing waters 42-inch minimum 1 N G Sauger

- All public fishing waters 15-inch minimum 8 R

Kokanee salmon E G - All public fishing waters None 7 U All other warmwater game fishes L

- All public fishing waters None None A T I O N

REGULATIONS FOR MOUNTAIN TROUT S

&

LOCATION/SEASON SIZE LIMIT DAILY CREEL LURES/BAIT I

LIMIT RESTRICTIONS* N

HATCHERY SUPPORTED TROUT WATERS F Aug. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018 None 7 None O

7 a.m. April 7, 2018 – July 31, 2018 R

-All Hatchery Supported Trout Waters not listed below M

March 1, 2018 – April 6, 2018 A **No fishing allowed ** ** ** -All Hatchery Supported Trout Waters not listed below T I No closed season O

-Linville River and tributaries within Linville None 7 None N Gorge Wilderness Area -Power reservoirs and municipal water supply reservoirs WILD TROUT WATERS No closed season 7 inches 4 Artificial lures with a single hook. WILD TROUT NATURAL BAIT WATERS No closed season 7 inches 4 Artificial lures or natural bait with a single hook. No live fish allowed as bait. DELAYED HARVEST TROUT WATERS Oct. 1, 2017 – June 1, 2018 ** ** Artificial lures with a single hook. **No trout may be possessed Natural bait may not be possessed. **No fishing allowed from ½ hour after sunset on ** June 1, 2018, to 6 a.m. on June 2, 2018 Aug. 1, 2017 – Sept. 30, 2017 None 7 None June 2, 2018 – July 31, 2018 (Note: youth under 18 years old only fishing from 6 a.m. until noon on June 2, 2018) CATCH AND RELEASE / ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY TROUT WATERS No closed season ** ** Artificial lures with a single hook. **No trout may be possessed Natural bait may not be possessed. CATCH AND RELEASE / ARTIFICIAL FLIES ONLY TROUT WATERS No closed season ** ** Artificial flies with a single hook. **No trout may be possessed Natural bait may not be possessed. SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT WATERS No closed season Only one fish may be 7 None - from Muddy Creek to greater than 14 inches long Morganton water intake dam UNDESIGNATED TROUT WATERS No closed season None 7 None

*See page 22 for a definition of artificial lure and natural bait

2017/18 • 21 STATE FISH HATCHERIES l Dropper flies may be used when fishing any Public Mountain

N • It is unlawful to fish at any time in the waters or on the property Trout Waters.

O of any state fish hatchery, including Bones Creek from the Lake l It is unlawful to fish with more than one line per person, except I

T Rim Dam to the U.S. 401 Bypass (Raeford Road), except McKinney on power reservoirs and municipal water supply reservoirs.

A Lake Reservoir at McKinney Lake State Fish Hatchery. l Fishing is not allowed in Hatchery Supported Trout Waters dur- Fishing on Game Lands ing the closed season except in the Linville River and tributaries M l A game lands license is not required to fish in any waters on within Linville Gorge Wilderness Area and on power reservoirs R game lands. and municipal water supply reservoirs designated as trout waters. O

F l All game lands are open to public fishing with the following l Non-trout species may be harvested from Delayed Harvest Trout

N exceptions: Waters during the catch-and-release only trout season under I - Re-stocked ponds when posted against fishing. applicable size and creel limits.

& - Grogan Creek in Transylvania County, which serves as a fish l It is unlawful to place hatchery-reared fish into Wild Trout

S hatchery and water supply. Waters or move wild fish from one stream to another on game - Hunting Creek Swamp Waterfowl Refuge in Davie County. lands without prior written authorization. N - Private ponds where fishing may be prohibited by property owners. l Information and regulations about trout fishing on game lands O

I l In all game lands ponds, forked-tail catfish may be taken only are listed on page 28. T by hook and line, and the daily creel limit is six catfish for all Trout Fishing in Undesignated Waters A species combined. Some waters that are not designated as Public Mountain Trout L l The use of special fishing devices, including crab pots, is Waters contain mountain trout. When fishing in undesignated U pro hibited in designated waterfowl impoundments located waters, there is no size limit or bait restriction, and the creel G

E on game lands. Exception: Nongame fish may be taken limit is seven trout per day. A trout fishing license is not required

R year-round with archery equipment (see page 42) from to fish undesignated waters, and there is no closed season.

waterfowl impound ments located entirely on game lands Public Mountain Trout Waters G other than the impounded waters on the Sandhills Game Public Mountain Trout Waters are classified for management N

I Land and Public Moun tain Trout Waters. pur poses as either “Hatchery Supported Trout Waters” or “Wild

H l Blue crabs may be taken recreationally from designated water fowl Trout Waters.” Hatchery Supported Trout Waters must be S

I impoundments on game lands with hand-held lines with single baits stocked periodically with trout to sustain angling. Wild Trout F

and a collapsible crab trap with a maximum opening of 18 inches. Waters are high-quality waters that sustain trout populations by

D The limit is 50 crabs per person, per day or 100 per vessel per day natural reproduction. Some Public Mountain Trout Waters are with a minimum carapace width of five inches (point to point). specially regulated to meet specific management objectives. N These are further classified as follows: A

L REGULATIONS FOR MOUNTAIN TROUT l “Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters” l N Brook, brown and rainbow trout require cold, clean water and are “Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters” I therefore generally restricted to mountain streams and lakes. l “Delayed Harvest Trout Waters” Those mountain waters that support trout and are open to public l “Special Regulation Trout Waters” fishing are designated as “Public Mountain Trout Waters” by the l “Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters” Wildlife Resources Commission and are man aged for public Some of these public trout waters are also classified as Mountain trout fishing. A significant amount of trout fishing opportunities Heritage Trout Waters and are identified on page 28. in western are located on private property. These Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters landowners have generously allowed for public access for fish - These waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may be fished ing. Please respect their property. Your cooperation is needed only with artificial flies having one single hook. No trout may be to protect fishing opportunities for future generations. The harvested or possessed while fishing these streams. These streams Commission conspicuously marks Public Mountain Trout are marked with red-and-gold signs. Waters with regulation signs that indicate locations for public Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters access. When anglers encounter “posted against trespass” signs These waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may be fished along these designated sections on private lands, they should only with artificial lures having one single hook. No trout may respect the property owner’s rights and choose another location be harvested or possessed while fishing these streams. These along that stream to fish. Maps of trout water and their classifi - streams are marked with purple-and-gold signs. cations may be viewed at ncwildlife.org/fishing/trout. Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Fishing in Public Mountain Trout Waters Delayed Harvest Trout Waters, excluding tributaries except as l Fishing is limited to hook and line only. noted, may be fished only with artificial lures with one single l An artificial lure is defined as a fishing lure that neither hook, no natural bait may be possessed, and no trout may be con tains nor has been treated with any substance that attracts harvested or possessed while fishing these waters between fish by the sense of taste or smell. Oct. 1, 2017 and 30 minutes after sunset on June 1, 2018. These l Natural bait is defined as any living or dead organism (plant or waters are closed to fishing between 30 minutes after sunset animal), or parts thereof, or prepared substances designed to on June 1 and 6 a.m. on June 2. At 6 a.m. on June 2, 2018, attract fish by the sense of taste or smell. these waters open to fishing for youths under 18 years old under l It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from Public Mountain Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations—no bait restric tion, Trout Waters. no minimum length limit and seven-trout-per-day creel limit. At l It is unlawful to possess natural bait while fishing Wild Trout 12 p.m. on June 2, 2018, these, these waters open for all anglers and Catch and Release waters, unless those waters are also under Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations. These specifically classified for use of natural bait. waters are marked with black-and-white signs. 22 •2017/18 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. I

Hatchery Supported Trout Waters North Fork New River (Watauga Co. line to Sharp Dam) N In Hatchery Supported Trout Waters there is no size limit or Old Fields Creek (N.C. 221 to South Fork New River) L

bait restriction, and the creel limit is seven trout per day. These Peak Creek (headwaters to Trout Lake, except Blue Ridge A

waters are marked with green-and-white signs . Parkway waters) N

Special Regulation Trout Waters Roan Creek D

These portions of Public Mountain Trout Waters, excluding Three Top Creek F

tributaries except as noted, are subject to watercourse-specific, AVERY COUNTY I special regulations. These streams are marked with white- Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters S and-red signs. Elk River (portion on Lees-McRae College property, excluding H I

Wild Trout Waters the millpond) N

In all Wild Trout Waters, the minimum length limit is seven Lost Cove Creek (game land portion, excluding Gragg Prong G

inches and the creel limit is four trout per day. Only artificial and Rockhouse Creek) lures with one single hook may be used. All Public Mountain Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters R E

Trout Waters located on game lands are Wild Trout Waters Wilson Creek (game land portion) G

unless classified and posted otherwise. Wild Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters U

are marked with blue-and-gold signs. Boyde Coffey Lake L

Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Elk River (S.R. 1305 crossing immediately upstream of Big Falls A

These waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may be fished to the Tennessee state line) T I

with artificial lures or natural bait, except live fish. Lures and Linville River (Land Harbor line [below dam] to the Blue Ridge O

natural baits are restricted to one single hook. The minimum Parkway boundary line, except where posted against trespassing) N

length limit is seven inches, and the daily creel limit is four trout. Milltimber Creek S

These streams are marked with brown-and-gold signs. —upper (Watauga St. to Roby Shoemaker & ALLEGHANY COUNTY Wetlands and Family Recreational Park, except where posted

Delayed Harvest Trout Waters I against trespassing) N Little River (S.R. 1133 bridge to 275 yards downstream of the North Toe River—lower (S.R. 1164 to Mitchell Co. line, except F

intersection of S.R. 1128 and S.R. 1129 [marked by a sign where posted against trespassing) O

on each bank]) Squirrel Creek R

Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Wildcat Lake M Big Pine Creek Wild Trout Waters A Bledsoe Creek Birchfield Creek T

Brush Creek (N.C. 21 bridge to confluence with Little River, Cow Camp Creek I except where posted against trespassing) Cranberry Creek (headwaters to U.S. 19E/N.C. 194 bridge) O Cranberry Creek Gragg Prong N (Big) Glade Creek Horse Creek Little River (275 yards downstream of the intersection of Kentucky Creek S.R. 1128 and S.R. 1129 [marked by a sign on each bank] North Harper Creek to McCann Dam) Plumtree Creek Meadow Fork Roaring Creek Pine Swamp Creek Rockhouse Creek Piney Fork Shawneehaw Creek (portion adjacent to Banner Elk Greenway) Prathers Creek South Harper Creek Wild Trout Waters Webb Prong All waters located on Stone Mountain State Park BUNCOMBE COUNTY ASHE COUNTY Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters Carter Creek (game land portion) Big Horse Creek ( state line to Mud Creek at S.R. 1363, Hatchery Supported Trout Waters excluding tributaries) Bent Creek (headwaters to N.C. Arboretum boundary line) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Cane Creek (headwaters to S.R. 3138 bridge) Big Horse Creek (S.R. 1324 bridge to North Fork New River) Corner Rock Creek (Little Andy Creek to confluence with Helton Creek (Virginia state line to New River) Walker Branch) South Fork New River (upstream end of Todd Island to the Dillingham Creek (Corner Rock Creek to Ivy Creek) S.R. 1351 bridge) Ivy Creek (Ivy River) (Dillingham Creek to U.S. 19-23 bridge) Trout Lake Lake Powhatan Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Reems Creek (Sugar Camp Fork to U.S. 19-23 bridge, except Beaver Creek (N.C. 221 to South Fork New River) where posted against trespassing) Big Horse Creek (Mud Creek at S.R. 1363 to S.R. 1324 bridge) Rich Branch (downstream from the confluence with Rocky Branch) Big Laurel Creek (S.R. 1315 bridge to confluence with North Stony Creek Fork New River) Swannanoa River (S.R. 2702 bridge near Ridgecrest to Wood Buffalo Creek (S.R. 1133 bridge to N.C. 194-88 bridge) Avenue bridge [intersection of N.C. 81 and U.S. 74A in Cranberry Creek (Alleghany Co. line to South Fork New River) Asheville], except where posted against trespassing) Nathans Creek

2017/18 • 23 BURKE COUNTY Fires Creek (foot bridge in the USFS Fires Creek Picnic Area to

N Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters S.R. 1300)

O Henry Fork (portion on South Mountains State Park) Tusquitee Creek (Compass Creek to lower S.R. 1300 bridge) I

T Delayed Harvest Trout Waters GRAHAM COUNTY

A Jacob Fork (Shinny Creek to lower South Mountains State Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Park boundary) (Big) Snowbird Creek (USFS footbridge at the old railroad M Hatchery Supported Trout Waters junction to USFS Road 2579) R Carroll Creek (portion on game lands above S.R. 1405) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters O

F Henry Fork (lower South Mountains State Park line downstream Calderwood Reservoir (Cheoah Dam to Tennessee state line)

N to S.R. 1919 at Ivy Creek) Cheoah Reservoir I Linville River (portion within Linville Gorge Wilderness Area Panther Creek (confluence of Stand Creek and Rock Creek to

& (LGWA) and portion below Lake James power house from Lake Fontana)

S upstream bridge on S.R. 1223 to Muddy Creek) There is no Santeetlah Creek (Johns Branch to Lake Santeetlah) closed season within LGWA. (Big) Snowbird Creek (USFS Road 2579 to S.R. 1127 bridge) N Special Regulation Trout Waters Stecoah Creek (upper game land boundary to Lake Fontana) O

I Catawba River (Muddy Creek to City of Morganton water Tulula Creek (S.R. 1201 to lower bridge on S.R. 1275) T intake dam). The creel limit is seven trout per day; only one West Buffalo Creek A of which may be greater than 14 inches. No bait restrictions. Yellow Creek (Lake Santeetlah Hydropower Pipeline to L Cheoah River)

U No closed season. Wild Trout Waters Wild Trout Waters G

E All waters located on South Mountains State Park except Clear Little Buffalo Creek

R Creek Reservoir, the main stream of Jacob Fork between the South Fork Squally Creek

mouth of Shinny Creek and the lower park boundary, and Squally Creek G Henry Fork and its tributaries Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters N

I Nettle Branch (game land portion) Deep Creek

H CALDWELL COUNTY Franks Creek S

I Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Long Creek (game land portion) F

Wilson Creek (game land portion below Lost Cove Creek to HAYWOOD COUNTY

D Phillips Branch) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters West Fork Pigeon River (Queen Creek to the first game land N Boone Fork Pond boundary upstream of Lake Logan) A

L Buffalo Creek (mouth of Joes Creek to McCloud Branch) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters

N Joes Creek (first falls upstream of S.R. 1574 to confluence with Cold Springs Creek (Fall Branch to Pigeon River) I Buffalo Creek) Jonathan Creek (upstream S.R. 1302 bridge to Pigeon River, Wilson Creek (Phillips Branch to Brown Mountain Beach Dam, except where posted against trespass) except where posted against trespassing) Pigeon River (Stamey Cove Branch to upstream U.S. 19-23 bridge) (Happy Valley Ruritan Community Park to S.R. 1515) Richland Creek (Russ Avenue [U.S. 276] bridge to U.S. 19 bridge) Wild Trout Waters West Fork Pigeon River (Tom Creek to Queen Creek, including Buffalo Creek (Watauga Co. line to Long Ridge Branch including portions on game lands, except Middle Prong) tributaries on game lands) Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Joes Creek (Watauga Co. line to first falls upstream of the end Hemphill Creek of S.R. 1574) Hurricane Creek (including portions of tributaries on game lands) Rockhouse Creek HENDERSON COUNTY CHEROKEE COUNTY Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters North Fork Mills River (Hendersonville watershed dam to the Davis Creek (confluence of Bald and Dockery creeks to Hanging lower game land boundary) Dog Creek) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Hyatt Creek (Big Dam Branch to Valley River) (Rocky) Broad River (end of S.R. 1611 to Rutherford Co. line) Junaluska Creek (Ashturn Creek to Valley River) Cane Creek (railroad bridge upstream of S.R. 1551 bridge to Shuler Creek (Joe Brown Hwy. [S.R. 1325] bridge to Tennessee line) U.S. 25 bridge) Valley River (S.R. 1359 to U.S. 19 Business bridge in Murphy) Clear Creek (Laurel Fork to S.R. 1582) Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Green River (Lake Summit powerhouse to game land boundary) Bald Creek (game land portions) (Big) Hungry River (S.R. 1885 to Green River) Dockery Creek (game land portions) JACKSON COUNTY North Shoal Creek (game land portions) Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters CLAY COUNTY Flat Creek Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Tuckasegee River (above the Clark property) Fires Creek (USFS Road 340A to the foot bridge in the USFS Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Fires Creek Picnic Area) Tuckasegee River (downstream N.C. 107 bridge to the falls Hatchery Supported Trout Waters located 275 yards upstream of the U.S. 23-441 bridge Buck Creek (game land portion downstream of U.S. 64 bridge) [marked by a sign on each bank])

24 •2017/18 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED . I

Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters N Balsam Lake Big Laurel Creek (Mars Hill watershed boundary to the S.R. 1318 L

Bear Creek Lake [Big Laurel Road] bridge downstream of Bearpen Branch) A

Cedar Cliff Lake Big Pine Creek (S.R. 1151 bridge to ) N

Cullowhee Creek (Tilley Creek to Tuckasegee River) Little Ivy Creek (confluence of Middle Fork and Paint Fork at D

Dark Ridge Creek (Jones Creek to Scott Creek) Beech Glen to confluence with Ivy Creek at Forks of Ivy) F

Greens Creek (Greens Creek Baptist Church on S.R. 1370 to Max Patch Pond I Savannah Creek) Meadow Fork Creek (S.R. 1165 to Spring Creek) S Savannah Creek (Shell Branch to Cagle Branch) Puncheon Fork (Hampton Creek to Big Laurel Creek) H I

Scott Creek (Dark Ridge Creek to Tuckasegee River, except Roaring Fork (Fall Branch to Meadow Fork) N

where posted against trespassing) Shelton Laurel Creek (confluence of Big Creek and Mill Creek to G

Tanasee Creek Lake N.C. 208 bridge at Belva) R Tuckasegee River—upper (John Brown Branch to the downstream Shut-in Creek E

N.C. 107 bridge) Spillcorn Creek G

Tuckasegee River—lower (falls located 275 yards upstream of Spring Creek (junction of N.C. 209 and N.C. 63 to USFS Road 223) U

U.S. 23-441 bridge [marked by a sign on each bank] to S.R. West Fork Shut-in Creek (lower game land boundary to L

1534 bridge at Wilmot) confluence with East Fork Shut-in Creek) A

Wolf Creek Lake Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters T I

Wild Trout Waters Big Creek (headwaters to the lower game land boundary, O

Gage Creek including tributaries) N

North Fork Scott Creek MCDOWELL COUNTY S

Tanasee Creek Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters & Whitewater River (downstream from Silver Run Creek to South Newberry Creek (game land portion)

Carolina state line) I Delayed Harvest Trout Waters N Wolf Creek (except Balsam Lake and Wolf Creek Lake) Catawba River (portion adjacent to Marion Greenway) F

Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Curtis Creek (game land portion downstream of the USFS O

Buff Creek boundary at Deep Branch) R

Chattooga River (S.R. 1100 bridge to South Carolina state line) Mill Creek (U.S. 70 bridge to I-40 bridge) M Lower Fowler Creek (game land portion) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters A Scotsman Creek (game land portion) Armstrong Creek (Cato Holler lower line downstream to T

MACON COUNTY upper Greenlee line) I Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Catawba River (Catawba Falls Campground to Old Fort O Nantahala River (Whiteoak Creek to Nantahala hydropower Recreation Park) N discharge canal) Little Buck Creek (game land portion) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Mill Creek (upper railroad bridge to U.S. 70 bridge, except Burningtown Creek (Left Prong to Little ) where posted against trespassing) Cartoogechaye Creek (downstream U.S. 64 bridge to Little North Fork Catawba River (headwaters to North Cove School Tennessee River) at S.R. 1569 bridge) Cliffside Lake MITCHELL COUNTY Cullasaja River (Sequoyah Dam to U.S. 64 bridge near junction Delayed Harvest Trout Waters of S.R. 1672) Cane Creek (N.C. 226 bridge to S.R. 1189 bridge) Nantahala River—upper (Dicks Creek to Whiteoak Creek) North Toe River (U.S. 19E bridge to N.C. 226 bridge) Nantahala River—lower (Nantahala hydropower discharge Hatchery Supported Trout Waters canal to Swain Co. line) Big Rock Creek (headwaters to N.C. 226 bridge at S.R. 1307 Queens Creek Lake intersection) Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Cane Creek (S.R. 1219 to N.C. 226 bridge) (S.R. 1100 bridge to South Carolina state line) East Fork Grassy Creek Jarrett Creek (game land portion) Grassy Creek (East Fork Grassy Creek to mouth) Kimsey Creek Little Rock Creek (Green Creek bridge to Big Rock Creek, except Overflow Creek (game land portion) where posted against trespassing) Park Creek North Toe River (Avery Co. line to S.R. 1121 bridge) Tellico Creek (game land portion) Wild Trout Waters Turtle Pond Creek (game land portion) Green Creek (above Green Creek bridge, except where posted MADISON COUNTY against trespassing) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Little Rock Creek (above Green Creek, including all tributaries, Big Laurel Creek (N.C. 208 bridge to the U.S. 25-70 bridge) except where posted against trespassing) Shelton Laurel Creek (N.C. 208 bridge at Belva to the confluence Wiles Creek (game land boundary to mouth) with Big Laurel Creek) Spring Creek (N.C. 209 bridge at Hot Springs city limits to iron bridge at end of Andrews Avenue)

2017/18 • 25 POLK COUNTY Wild Trout Waters N Delayed Harvest Trout Waters All waters located on

O Green River (Fishtop Falls Access Area to the confluence with Whitewater River (downstream from Silver Run Creek to South I

T Cove Creek) Carolina state line)

A Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Green River (Mouth of Cove Creek to the natural gas pipeline North Fork French Broad River (game land portion down stream M

R crossing) of S.R. 1326) North Pacolet River (Joels Creek to N.C. 108 bridge) Thompson River (S.R. 1152 to South Carolina state line, except O

F RUTHERFORD COUNTY where posted against trespassing)

N Hatchery Supported Trout Waters WATAUGA COUNTY I (Rocky) Broad River (Henderson Co. line to U.S. 64/74 bridge, Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters

& except where posted against trespassing) Laurel Creek (confluence of North and South Fork Laurel

S STOKES COUNTY creeks to Elk Creek, excluding tributaries) Pond Creek (headwaters to Locust Ridge Road bridge, excluding N Hatchery Supported Trout Waters (Virginia state line downstream to a point 200 yards the pond adjacent to Lake Coffey) O I below the end of S.R. 1421) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters T SURRY COUNTY Lake Coffey A

L Delayed Harvest Trout Waters – upper (S.R. 1114 bridge to N.C. 194 bridge

U Ararat River (portion adjacent to Ararat River Greenway) at Valle Crucis) Mitchell River (0.6 mile upstream of the end of S.R. 1333 to the Watauga River – lower (S.R. 1103 bridge to confluence with G

E S.R. 1330 bridge below Kapps Mill Dam) Laurel Creek)

R Hatchery Supported Trout Waters

Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Ararat River (S.R. 1727 bridge downstream to the N.C. 103 bridge) Beaverdam Creek (confluence of Beaverdam Creek and Little G Big Elkin Creek (Dam 440 yards upstream of N.C. 268 bridge Beaverdam Creek to an unnamed tributary adjacent to the N

I to a point 265 yards downstream of N.C. 268 [marked by a intersection of S.R. 1201 and S.R. 1203)

H sign on each bank]) Beech Creek S

I Fisher River (Cooper Creek) (Virginia state line to Interstate Buckeye Creek (Buckeye Creek Reservoir dam to Grassy Gap Creek) F

77 bridge) Buckeye Creek Reservoir

D Little Fisher River (Virginia state line to N.C. 89 bridge) Cove Creek (S.R. 1233 bridge at Zionville to S.R. 1214 bridge at Sherwood)

N Lovills Creek (U.S. 52 Business bridge to Ararat River) Pauls Creek (Virginia state line to 0.3 miles below S.R. 1625 bridge) Dutch Creek (second bridge on S.R. 1134 to mouth) A

L SWAIN COUNTY Elk Creek (S.R. 1510 bridge at Triplett to Wilkes Co. line, except

N Delayed Harvest Trout Waters where posted against trespassing) I Tuckasegee River (U.S. 19 bridge to Slope Street bridge) Laurel Creek (S.R. 1123 bridge at S.R. 1157 intersection to Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Watauga River) Alarka Creek (game land boundary to Fontana Reservoir) Meat Camp Creek (S.R. 1340 bridge at S.R. 1384 intersection Calderwood Reservoir (Cheoah Dam to Tennessee state line) to N.C. 194) Cheoah Reservoir Middle Fork New River (adjacent to intersection of S.R. 1539 and Connelly Creek (Camp Branch to Tuckasegee River) U.S. 321 to South Fork New River) Deep Creek (Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary Norris Fork Creek line to Tuckasegee River) South Fork New River (canoe launch 70 yards upstream of Nantahala River (Macon Co. line to existing Fontana Reservoir U.S. 421 bridge to lower boundary of Brookshire Park) water level) Stony Fork (S.R. 1500 bridge at S.R. 1505 intersection to TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY Wilkes Co. line) Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters Wild Trout Waters Davidson River (headwaters to Avery Creek, excluding Avery Dutch Creek (headwaters to second bridge on S.R. 1134) Creek, Looking Glass Creek and Grogan Creek) Howard Creek Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Maine Branch (headwaters to North Fork New River) East Fork French Broad River (Glady Fork to French Broad River) North Fork New River (from confluence with Maine and Mine Little River (confluence of Lake Dense to 100 yards downstream branches to Ashe Co. line) of Hooker Falls) Watauga River (Avery Co. line to S.R. 1580 bridge) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Winkler Creek (lower bridge on S.R. 1549 to confluence with Davidson River (Avery Creek to lower USFS boundary line) South Fork New River) French Broad River (confluence of North Fork French Broad WILKES COUNTY River and West Fork French Broad River to the Island Ford Rd. Delayed Harvest Trout Waters [S.R. 1110] Access Area) East Prong Roaring River (Bullhead Creek downstream to Middle Fork French Broad River (upstream U.S. 178 bridge to Stone Mountain State Park lower boundary) French Broad River) Elk Creek—upper (Watauga Co. line to lower boundary of West Fork French Broad River (Camp Cove Branch to Blue Ridge Mountain Club) confluence with North Fork French Broad) Elk Creek—lower (portion on Leatherwood Mountains Development)

26 •2017/18 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. I

Reddies River (Town of North Wilkesboro water intake dam to YANCEY COUNTY N confluence with Yadkin River) Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters L

Stone Mountain Creek (from falls at Alleghany Co. line to con - South Toe River (headwaters to Upper Creek, including tributaries) A

fluence with East Prong Roaring River and Bullhead Creek) Upper Creek (headwaters to South Toe River, including tributaries) N

Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Delayed Harvest Trout Waters D

Basin Creek (S.R. 1730 bridge to confluence with Lovelace Creek) Cane River (Blackberry Ridge Road to downstream boundary F

Bell Branch Pond of Cane River County Park) I Boundary Line Pond Hatchery Supported Trout Waters S Cub Creek (0.5 miles upstream of S.R. 2460 bridge to S.R. 1001 Bald Mountain Creek (except where posted against trespassing) H I

bridge) Cane River (Bee Branch [S.R. 1110] to Bowlens Creek) N

Darnell Creek (North Prong Reddies River) (downstream ford on Price Creek (junction of S.R. 1120 and S.R. 1121 to Indian Creek) G

S.R. 1569 to confluence with North Fork Reddies River) South Toe River (Clear Creek to lower boundary line of Yancey R East Prong Roaring River (Stone Mountain State Park lower Co. recreation park, except where posted against trespassing) E

boundary to S.R. 1002 bridge ) Wild Trout Waters G

Fall Creek (S.R. 1300 bridge to confluence with South Prong Cattail Creek (bridge at Mountain Farm Community Road to U

Lewis Fork, except where posted against trespassing) N.C. 197 bridge) L

Middle Fork Reddies River (Clear Prong) (headwaters to bridge Lickskillet Creek A

on S.R. 1580) Middle Creek (game land boundary to mouth) T I

Middle Prong Roaring River (headwaters to second bridge on Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Some Public Mountain Trout O

S.R. 1736) Waters running through or adjacent to certain cities or towns N

North Fork Reddies River (Vannoy Creek) (headwaters to Union may be further classified as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. S

School bridge on S.R. 1559) Any license that provides trout fishing privileges may be used to & Pike Creek fish on Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Resident and nonresident

I

Pike Creek Pond anglers may instead purchase a three-day Mountain Heritage N South Fork Reddies River (S.R. 1355 bridge to confluence with Trout Waters license valid only on Mountain Heritage Trout F

Middle Fork Reddies River) Waters. This license is $5 for both residents and nonresidents O

South Prong Lewis Fork (Fall Creek to S.R. 1155 bridge) and can be purchased online at ncwildlife.org or by calling R

Wild Trout Waters 888-248-6834, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday – Friday. The following M All waters located on Stone Mountain State Park, except East waters are classified as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters and A Prong Roaring River from Bullhead Creek downstream to the listed by county, Mountain Heritage Trout City name and T

Stone Mountain State Park lower boundary where Delayed regulation type. The boundaries for Mountain Heritage Trout I Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply, and Stone Mountain Waters are marked with signs posted conspicuously along O Creek from falls at Alleghany County line to confluence the watercourses. N with East Prong Roaring River and Bullhead Creek in Stone Ashe County Mountain State Park where Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Lansing: Big Horse Creek (S.R. 1324 bridge to North Fork regulations apply. New River) [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] Todd: South Fork New River (upstream end of Todd Island to S.R. 1351 bridge) [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters ATTENT ION TROUT ANG LERS regulations apply] Did you know Eastern Hellbenders (a.k.a. Avery County “water dogs”) are harmless, nonvenomous, Newland: North Toe River (Watauga St. bridge to Roby giant, crayfish-eating, aquatic salamanders Shomaker Wet lands and Family Recreation Park) [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] that are indicators of good water quality and Haywood County healthy streams? Did you know that thriving, Maggie Valley: Jonathan Creek (upstream S.R. 1302 bridge to S.R. diverse fish populations and healthy hell - 1309 bridge) [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] bender populations go hand-in-hand? Waynesville: Richland Creek (Russ Avenue bridge to U.S. 19 bridge) [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] The Wildlife Resources Commission wants Jackson County to conserve this amazing mountain creature Dillsboro: Scott Creek (Hometown Place Road to Tuckasegee and needs your help. If you accidentally River) [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] catch a hellbender on hook and line, please Tuckasegee River (Falls located 275 yards upstream of U.S. 23-441 bridge to Scott Creek) [ Hatchery Supported Trout Waters immediately release the animal at the spot regulations apply] of capture by carefully removing the hook or Tuckasegee River (Savannah Creek to falls located 275 yards cutting the line as close as possible to the hook. upstream of U.S. 23-441 bridge) [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] ogs Let us know where you found a hellbender Sylva: Scott Creek (Hospital Road to Hometown Place Road) Water d [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] elp! by calling 919-707-0050 so we can map need your h Webster: Tuckasegee River (downstream N.C. 107 bridge their distribution. THANKS! to Savannah Creek) [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] 2017/18 • 27 Madison County Specific fishing regulations are displayed on signs located near

N Hot Springs: Spring Creek (N.C. 209 bridge at Hot Springs fish ing access points, and all persons age 16 or older must

O city limits to iron bridge at end of Andrews Avenue) [Delayed possess a valid North Carolina or Virginia fishing license to fish I parkway waters. In addition, the parkway provides wild and T Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] catch-and-release trout fishing, as well as, angling for bass and A McDowell County Old Fort: Mill Creek (U.S. 70 bridge to the I-40 bridge) sunfish. M [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] For more information on fishing in parkway waters, contact: R Mitchell County , 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, O NC 28803. Telephone: 828-271-4779, or at their website: F Bakersville: Cane Creek (N.C. 226 bridge to S.R. 1189 bridge) http://www.nps.gov/blri/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm.

N [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] I

Spruce Pine: North Toe River (U.S. 19E bridge to N.C. 226 Trout Fishing on North Carolina State Parks Fishing in waters within a state park is limited to park operating hours. Additiona l & bridge) [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] Yancey County park information may be obtained at ncparks.gov or by S Burnsville: South Toe River (property boundaries of the Yancey contacting the following park offices: N County Toe River Campground) [Hatchery Supported Trout South Mountains State Park 828-433-4772 O

I Waters regulations apply] Stone Mountain State Park 336-957-8185 T Trout Fishing on Game Lands Gorges State Park 828-966-9099 A l All waters on the game lands listed below are Public Mountain L Trout Waters and are classified as Wild Trout Waters, except NONGAME FISH U as noted: Any fish not classified as a game fish is con sidered a nongame fish when G found in inland fishing waters and includes shellfish and crustaceans.

E - Cold Mountain Game Land in Haywood Co. Manner of Taking Nongame Fish R - Dupont State Forest Game Land in Henderson and Transylvania

counties, except Little River from 100 yards downstream of l Nongame fish may be taken by hook and line or by grabbling; G Hooker Falls downstream to the Dupont State Forest boundary, no fish may be taken by snagging. Special devices may be used N

I Lake Imaging, Lake Dense, Lake Alfred, Lake Julia, and Fawn Lake. to take nongame fish with proper licenses (see “Special Fishing

H - Green River Game Land in Henderson and Polk counties, Devices,” page 30) in those counties and waters with open

S seasons (see “Seasons and Waters” pages 31 –35).

I excluding Green River downstream of the natural gas l F pipeline crossing. Nongame fishes may be taken year-round with archery equipment

- Nantahala National Forest Game Land in Cherokee, Clay, (see page 42) under any license that authorizes basic hunting or D Graham, Jackson, Macon, Swain and Transylvania counties, inland fishing privileges in waterfowl impoundments located N except Cheoah River downstream of Santeetlah Reservoir entirely on game lands and in all inland fishing waters other A than the impounded waters on the Sandhills Game Land, Public

L and Cherokee Lake. - Game Land in Avery, Buncombe, Mountain Trout Waters, and reservoirs with restrictions on N I Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, taking grass carp listed on page 29. Mitchell, Transylvania and Yancey counties, except Grogan l For special rules governing trotlines, see “Trotlines, Set-hooks Creek, North Fork Catawba River downstream of the mouth and Jug-hooks” (page 18). of Armstrong Creek, Big Laurel Creek downstream from the l Crab pots may not be used in inland fishing waters or in designated U.S. 25-70 bridge to the French Broad River, Mill Ridge Pond, water fowl impoundments located on game lands, except that , Pigeon River downstream of Waterville persons owning property adjacent to the inland fishing waters of Reservoir to the Tennessee state line, and Spring Creek below coastal rivers and their tributaries may set two crab pots attached USFS Road 223. to their property and a special device license is not required. - Pond Mountain Game Land in Ashe Co. l Blue crabs may be taken recreationally with a single line with - Rendezvous Mountain State Forest Game Land in Wilkes Co. multiple baits without hooks (see restrictions under “Taking - South Mountains Game Land in Cleveland and Rutherford Nongame Fish, Crustaceans, and Mollusks for Bait or Personal counties. Consumption” below). - Three Top Mountain Game Land in Ashe Co. Hook-and-Line Regulations for Nongame Fish - Thurmond Chatham Game Land in Wilkes Co. * Season: Year-round - Toxaway Game Land in Transylvania Co. * Minimum size limit: None Trout Fishing on the Blue Ridge Parkway Angling opportunities * Daily creel limit: None on the Blue Ridge Parkway are managed by the National Park The following exceptions apply: Service which establishes fishing regulations for parkway waters. l The daily creel limit on channel, white and blue catfish The Wildlife Resources Commission aides with management by (forked-tail catfish) is six fish in all game lands ponds stocking catchable-size trout into the following waters: and in the following waters: Alamance Cedarock Park Pond County Water Alexander Ellendale Community Center Pond Alleghany Brush Creek Buncombe Azalea Park Pond Alleghany Big Pine Creek Charles Owen Park Pond Alleghany Meadow Fork Lake Julian Avery Linville River Lake Tomahawk Buncombe Swannanoa River Cabarrus Frank Liske Park Pond Watauga Price Lake TN Spencer Park Pond

28 •2017/18 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED.