REGULATIONS FOR MOUNTAIN TROUT FISHING INLAND REGULATIONS & INFORMATION LOCATION/SEASON SIZE LIMIT DAILY CREEL LURES/BAIT LIMIT RESTRICTIONS* HATCHERY SUPPORTED TROUT WATERS Aug. 1, 2014 – Feb. 28, 2015 None 7 None 7 a.m. April 4, 2015 – July 31, 2015 -All Hatchery Supported Trout Waters not listed below March 1, 2015 – April 3, 2015 **No fishing allowed ** ** ** -All Hatchery Supported Trout Waters not listed below No closed season -Linville River and tributaries within Linville None 7 None 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, 2014 – June 5, 2015 ** ** 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 5, 2015, to 6 a.m. on June 6, 2015 Aug. 1, 2014 – Sept. 30, 2014 None 7 None June 6, 2015 – July 31, 2015 (Note: youth under 16 years old only fishing from 6 a.m. until noon on June 6, 2015) 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 -Catawba River from Muddy Creek to greater than 14 inches long Morganton water intake dam UNDESIGNATED TROUT WATERS Aug. 1, 2014 – Feb. 28, 2015 None 7 None 7 a.m. April 4, 2015 – July 31, 2015 March 1, 2015 – April 3, 2015 **Fishing allowed, but no trout may be ** ** None possessed, except in waters listed below No closed season -Power reservoirs and municipal water None 7 None supply reservoirs *See page 22 for a definition of artificial lure and natural bait

STATE FISH HATCHERIES ● In all game lands ponds, forked-tail catfish may be taken only • It is unlawful to fish at any time in the waters or on the property by hook and line, and the daily creel limit is six catfish for all of any state fish hatchery, including Bones Creek from the Lake species combined. Rim Dam to the U.S. 401 Bypass (Raeford Road), except McKinney ● The use of special fishing devices, including crab pots, is pro - Lake Reservoir at McKinney Lake State Fish Hatchery. hibited in designated waterfowl impoundments located on game Fishing on Game Lands lands. Exception: Nongame fish may be taken year-round with ● A game lands license is not required to fish in any waters on archery equipment (see page 41) from waterfowl impoundments game lands. located entirely on game lands other than the impounded waters ● All game lands are open to public fishing with the following on the Sandhills Game Land and Public Moun tain Trout Waters. exceptions: ● Blue crabs may be taken recreationally from designated water - - Re-stocked ponds when posted against fishing. fowl impoundments on game lands with hand-held lines with - Grogan Creek in Transylvania County, which serves as a fish single baits and a collapsible crab trap with a maximum opening hatchery and water supply. of 18 inches. The limit is 50 crabs per person, per day or 100 per - Hunting Creek Swamp Waterfowl Refuge in Davie County. vessel per day with a minimum carapace width of five inches - Private ponds where fishing may be prohibited by property owners. (point to point). 2014/15 • 21 REGULATIONS FOR MOUNTAIN TROUT Waters are high-quality waters that sustain trout populations by Brook, brown and rainbow trout require cold, clean water and are natural reproduction. Some Public Mountain Trout Waters are therefore generally restricted to mountain streams and lakes. specially regulated to meet specific management objectives. Those mountain waters that support trout and are open to public These are further classified as follows: fishing are designated as “Public Mountain Trout Waters” by the ● “Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters” Wildlife Resources Commission and are man aged for public ● “Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters” trout fishing. A significant amount of trout fishing opportunities ● “Delayed Harvest Trout Waters” in western North Carolina are located on private property. These ● “Special Regulation Trout Waters” landowners have generously allowed for public access for fish - ● “Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters” ing. Please respect their property. Your cooperation is needed Some of these public trout waters are also classified as Mountain to protect fishing opportunities for future generations. The Heritage Trout Waters and are identified on page 27. Commission conspicuously marks Public Mountain Trout Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters Waters with regulation signs that indicate locations for public These waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may be fished access. When anglers encounter “posted against trespass” signs only with artificial flies having one single hook. No trout may be along these designated sections on private lands, they should harvested or possessed while fishing these streams. These streams respect the property owner’s rights and choose another location are marked with red-and-gold signs. along that stream to fish. Maps of trout water and their classifi - Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters cations may be viewed at ncwildlife.org/fishingmap. These waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may be fished Fishing in Public Mountain Trout Waters only with artificial lures having one single hook. No trout may ● Fishing is limited to hook and line only. be harvested or possessed while fishing these streams. These ● An artificial lure is defined as a fishing lure that neither con - streams are marked with purple-and-gold signs. tains nor has been treated with any substance that attracts fish Delayed Harvest Trout Waters by the sense of taste or smell. Delayed Harvest Trout Waters, excluding tributaries except as ● Natural bait is defined as any living or dead organism (plant or noted, may be fished only with artificial lures with one single animal), or parts thereof, or prepared substances designed to hook, no natural bait may be possessed, and no trout may be attract fish by the sense of taste or smell. harvested or possessed while fishing these waters between Oct. ● It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from Public Mountain 1, 2014 and 30 minutes after sunset on June 5, 2015. These Trout Waters. waters are closed to fishing between 30 minutes after sunset ● It is unlawful to possess natural bait while fishing Wild Trout on June 5 and 6 a.m. on June 6. At 6 a.m. on June 6, 2015, and Catch and Release waters, unless those waters are also these waters open to fishing for youths under 16 years old specifically classified for use of natural bait. under Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations—no bait ● Dropper flies may be used when fishing any Public Mountain restriction, no minimum length limit and seven-trout-per-day Trout Waters. creel limit. At 12 p.m. on June 6, 2015, these waters open for INLAND FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION & REGULATIONS INLAND FISHING ● It is unlawful to fish with more than one line per person, except all anglers under Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations. on power reservoirs and municipal water supply reservoirs. These waters are marked with black-and-white signs. ● Fishing is not allowed in Hatchery Supported Trout Waters dur - Hatchery Supported Trout Waters ing the closed season except in the Linville River and tributaries In Hatchery Supported Trout Waters there is no size limit or bait within Linville Gorge Wilderness Area and on power reservoirs restriction, and the creel limit is seven trout per day. These waters and municipal water supply reservoirs designated as trout waters. are marked with green-and-white signs. ● Non-trout species may be harvested from Delayed Harvest Trout Special Regulation Trout Waters Waters during the catch-and-release only trout season under These portions of Public Mountain Trout Waters, excluding applicable size and creel limits. tributaries except as noted, are subject to watercourse-specific, ● It is unlawful to place hatchery-reared fish into Wild Trout special regulations. These streams are marked with white- Waters or move wild fish from one stream to another on game and-red signs. lands without prior written authorization. Wild Trout Waters ● Information and regulations about trout fishing on game lands In all Wild Trout Waters, the minimum length limit is seven are listed on page 27. inches and the creel limit is four trout per day. Only artificial Trout Fishing in Undesignated Waters lures with one single hook may be used. All Public Mountain Some waters that are not designated as Public Mountain Trout Trout Waters located on game lands are Wild Trout Waters Waters contain mountain trout. When fishing in undesignated unless classified and posted otherwise. Wild Trout Waters waters, there is no size limit or bait restriction, and the creel are marked with blue-and-gold signs. limit is seven trout per day. A trout fishing license is not required Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters to fish undesignated waters, and there is no closed season for These waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may be fished fishing. However, trout may not be possessed or retained in the with artificial lures or natural bait, except live fish. Lures and creel when fishing undesig nated waters during the closed season natural baits are restricted to one single hook. The minimum for Hatchery Supported Trout Waters except on power length limit is seven inches, and the daily creel limit is four reservoirs and municipal water supply reservoirs. trout. These streams are marked with brown-and-gold signs. Public Mountain Trout Waters ALLEGHANY COUNTY Public Mountain Trout Waters are classified for management Delayed Harvest Trout Waters pur poses as either “Hatchery Supported Trout Waters” or “Wild Little River (Whitehead to 275 yards downstream of the Trout Waters.” Hatchery Supported Trout Waters must be intersection of S.R. 1128 and S.R. 1129 [marked by a sign on stocked periodically with trout to sustain angling. Wild Trout each bank]) 22 • 2014/15 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Wild Trout Waters FISHING INLAND REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Big Pine Creek Birchfield Creek Bledsoe Creek Cow Camp Creek Brush Creek (NC 21 bridge to confluence with Little River, Cranberry Creek (headwaters to U.S. 19E/N.C. 194 bridge) except where posted against trespassing) Gragg Prong Cranberry Creek Horse Creek (Big) Glade Creek Jones 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 Big Sandy Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) BUNCOMBE COUNTY Stone Mountain Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters ASHE COUNTY Carter Creek (game land portion) Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Big Horse Creek (Virginia state line to Mud Creek at S.R. 1363, Bent Creek (headwaters to N.C. Arboretum boundary line) excluding tributaries) Cane Creek (headwaters to S.R. 3138 bridge) Unnamed tributary of Three Top Creek (game land portion) Corner Rock Creek (Little Andy Creek to confluence with Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Walker Branch) Big Horse Creek (S.R. 1324 Bridge to North Fork New River) Dillingham Creek (Corner Rock Creek to Ivy Creek) Helton Creek (Virginia state line to New River) Ivy Creek (Ivy River) (Dillingham Creek to U.S. 19-23 bridge) South Fork New River (Todd Island Park) Lake Powhatan Trout Lake Reems Creek (Sugar Camp Fork to U.S. 19-23 bridge, except Hatchery Supported Trout Waters where posted against trespassing) Beaver Creek Rich Branch (downstream from the confluence with Rocky Branch) Big Horse Creek (Mud Creek at S.R. 1363 to S.R. 1324 bridge) Stony Creek Big Laurel Creek 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 BURKE COUNTY North Fork New River (Watauga Co. line to Sharp Dam) Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters Old Fields Creek Henry Fork (portion on South Mountains State Park) Peak Creek (headwaters to Trout Lake, except Blue Ridge Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Parkway waters) Jacob Fork (Shinny Creek to lower South Mountains State Roan Creek Park boundary) Three Top Creek (except game land portion) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters AVERY COUNTY Carroll Creek (portion on game lands above S.R. 1405) Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters Henry Fork (lower South Mountains State Park line downstream Elk River (portion on Lees-McRae College property, excluding to S.R. 1919 at Ivy Creek) the millpond) Linville River (portion within Linville Gorge Wilderness Area Lost Cove Creek (game land portion, excluding Gragg Prong (LGWA) and portion below Lake James power house from and Rockhouse Creek) upstream bridge on S.R. 1223 to Muddy Creek) There is no Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters closed season within LGWA. Wilson Creek (game land portion) Special Regulation Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Catawba River (Muddy Creek to City of Morganton water Boyde Coffey Lake intake dam). The creel limit is seven trout per day; only one Elk River (S.R. 1305 crossing immediately upstream of Big Falls of which may be greater than 14 inches. No bait restrictions. to the Tennessee state line) No closed season. Linville River (Land Harbor line [below dam] to the Blue Ridge Wild Trout Waters Parkway boundary line, except where posted against trespassing) All waters located on South Mountains State Park except Clear Milltimber Creek Creek Reservoir, the main stream of Jacob Fork between the North Toe River —upper (Watauga St. to Roby Shoemaker mouth of Shinny Creek and the lower park boundary, and Wetlands and Family Recreational Park, except where posted Henry Fork and its tributaries against trespassing) Nettle Branch (game land portion) North Toe River—lower (S.R. 1164 to Mitchell Co. line, except CALDWELL COUNTY where posted against trespassing) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Squirrel Creek Wilson Creek (game land portion below Lost Cove Creek to Wildcat Lake Phillips Branch) 2014/15 • 23 Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Boone Fork Pond Cold Springs Creek (Fall Branch to Pigeon River) Buffalo Creek (mouth of Joes Creek to McCloud Branch) Jonathan Creek (upstream S.R. 1302 bridge to Pigeon River, Joes Creek (first falls upstream of S.R. 1574 to confluence with except where posted against trespass) Buffalo Creek) Pigeon River (Stamey Cove Branch to upstream U.S. 19-23 bridge) Wilson Creek (Phillips Branch to Brown Mountain Beach Dam, Richland Creek (Russ Avenue [U.S. 276] bridge to U.S. 19 bridge) except where posted against trespassing) West Fork Pigeon River (Tom Creek to Queen Creek, including Yadkin River (Happy Valley Ruritan Community Park to S.R. 1515) portions on game lands, except Middle Prong) Wild Trout Waters Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Buffalo Creek (Watauga Co. line to Long Ridge Branch including Hemphill Creek tributaries on game lands) Hurricane Creek (including portions of tributaries on game lands) Joes Creek (Watauga Co. line to first falls upstream of the end HENDERSON COUNTY of S.R. 1574) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Rockhouse Creek North Fork Mills River (Hendersonville watershed dam to the CHEROKEE COUNTY lower game land boundary) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Davis Creek (confluence of Bald and Dockery creeks to Hanging (Rocky) Broad River (Rocky River Lane to Rutherford Co. line) Dog Creek) Cane Creek (railroad bridge upstream of S.R. 1551 bridge to Hyatt Creek (Big Dam Branch to Valley River) U.S. 25 bridge) Junaluska Creek (Ashturn Creek to Valley River) Clear Creek (Laurel Fork to S.R. 1582) Shuler Creek (Joe Brown Hwy. [S.R. 1325] bridge to Tennessee line) Green River (Lake Summit powerhouse to game land boundary) Valley River (headwaters to U.S. 19 business bridge in Murphy) (Big) Hungry River (S.R. 1885 to Green River) Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters JACKSON COUNTY Bald Creek (game land portions) Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters Dockery Creek (game land portions) Flat Creek North Shoal Creek (game land portions) Tuckasegee River (above the Clark property) CLAY COUNTY Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Tuckasegee River (downstream N.C. 107 bridge to the falls Fires Creek (USFS Road 340A to the foot bridge in the USFS located 275 yards upstream of the U.S. 23-441 bridge [marked Fires Creek Picnic Area) by a sign on each bank]) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Buck Creek (game land portion downstream of U.S. 64 bridge) Balsam Lake Fires Creek (foot bridge in the USFS Fires Creek Picnic Area to Bear Creek Lake INLAND FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION & REGULATIONS INLAND FISHING S.R. 1300) Cedar Cliff Lake Tusquitee Creek (headwaters to lower S.R. 1300 bridge) Cullowhee Creek (Tilley Creek to Tuckasegee River) GRAHAM COUNTY Dark Ridge Creek (Jones Creek to Scott Creek) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Green’s Creek (Green’s Creek Baptist Church on S.R. 1730 to (Big) Snowbird Creek (USFS footbridge at the old railroad Savannah Creek) junction to USFS Road 2579) Savannah Creek (headwaters to Bradley’s packing house on N.C. 116) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Scott Creek (except where posted against trespassing) Calderwood Reservoir (Cheoah Dam to Tennessee state line) Tanasee Creek Lake Cheoah Reservoir Tuckasegee River—upper (confluence with West Fork Tuckasegee Panther Creek (confluence of Stand Creek and Rock Creek to River to the downstream N.C. 107 bridge) Lake Fontana) Tuckasegee River—lower (falls located 275 yards upstream of Santeetlah Creek (Johns Branch to Lake Santeetlah) U.S. 23-441 bridge [marked by a sign on each bank] to S.R. (Big) Snowbird Creek (USFS Road 2579 to S.R. 1127 bridge) 1534 bridge at Wilmot) Stecoah Creek Wolf Creek Lake Tulula Creek (headwaters to lower bridge on S.R. 1275) Wild Trout Waters West Buffalo Creek Gage Creek Yellow Creek (Lake Santeetlah Hydropower Pipeline to Cheoah River) North Fork Scott Creek Wild Trout Waters Tanasee Creek Little Buffalo Creek Whitewater River (downstream from Silver Run Creek to South South Fork Squally Creek Carolina state line) Squally Creek Wolf Creek (except Balsam Lake and Wolf Creek Lake) Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Deep Creek Buff Creek Franks Creek Chattooga River (S.R. 1100 bridge to South Carolina state line) Long Creek (game land portion) Lower Fowler Creek (game land portion) HAYWOOD COUNTY Scotsman Creek (game land portion) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters MACON COUNTY West Fork Pigeon River (Queen Creek to the first game land Delayed Harvest Trout Waters boundary upstream of Lake Logan) 24 • 2014/15 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. Nantahala River (Whiteoak Creek to Nantahala hydropower Mill Creek (upper railroad bridge to U.S. 70 bridge, except FISHING INLAND REGULATIONS & INFORMATION discharge canal) where posted against trespassing) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters North Fork Catawba River (headwaters to North Cove School Burningtown Creek (Left Prong to Little Tennessee River) at S.R. 1569 bridge) Cartoogechaye Creek (downstream U.S. 64 bridge to Little MITCHELL COUNTY Tennessee River) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Cliffside Lake Cane Creek (N.C. 226 bridge to S.R. 1189 bridge) Cullasaja River (Sequoyah Dam to U.S. 64 bridge near junction North Toe River (U.S. 19E bridge to N.C. 226 bridge) of S.R. 1672) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Nantahala River—upper (Nantahala Dam to Whiteoak Creek) Big Rock Creek (headwaters to N.C. 226 bridge at S.R. 1307 Nantahala River—lower (Nantahala hydropower discharge intersection) canal to Swain Co. line) Cane Creek (S.R. 1219 to N.C. 226 bridge) Queens Creek Lake East Fork Grassy Creek Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Grassy Creek (East Fork Grassy Creek to mouth) Chattooga River (S.R. 1100 bridge to South Carolina state line) Little Rock Creek (Green Creek bridge to Big Rock Creek, except Jarrett Creek (game land portion) where posted against trespassing) Kimsey Creek North Toe River (Avery Co. line to S.R. 1121 bridge) Overflow Creek (game land portion) Wild Trout Waters Park Creek Green Creek (above Green Creek bridge, except where posted Tellico Creek (game land portion) against trespassing) Turtle Pond Creek (game land portion) Little Rock Creek (above Green Creek, including all tributaries, MADISON COUNTY except where posted against trespassing) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Wiles Creek (game land boundary to mouth) Big Laurel Creek (N.C. 208 bridge to the U.S. 25-70 bridge) POLK COUNTY Shelton Laurel Creek (N.C. 208 bridge at Belva to the confluence Delayed Harvest Trout Waters with Big Laurel Creek) Green River (Fishtop Falls Access Area to the confluence with Spring Creek (N.C. 209 bridge at Hot Springs city limits to iron Cove Creek) bridge at end of Andrews Avenue) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Green River (Mouth of Cove Creek to the natural gas pipeline Big Laurel Creek (Mars Hill watershed boundary to the S.R. 1318 crossing) [Big Laurel Road] bridge downstream of Bearpen Branch) North Pacolet River (Joels Creek to N.C. 108 bridge) Big Pine Creek (S.R. 1151 bridge to French Broad River) RUTHERFORD COUNTY Little Ivy Creek (confluence of Middle Fork and Paint Fork at Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Beech Glen to confluence with Ivy Creek at Forks of Ivy) (Rocky) Broad River (Henderson Co. line to U.S. 64/74 bridge, Max Patch Pond except where posted against trespassing) Meadow Fork Creek STOKES COUNTY Puncheon Fork (Hampton Creek to Big Laurel Creek) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Roaring Fork (Fall Branch to Meadow Fork) Dan River (Virginia state line downstream to a point 200 yards Shelton Laurel Creek (confluence of Big Creek and Mill Creek to below the end of S.R. 1421) N.C. 208 bridge at Belva) SURRY COUNTY Shut-in Creek Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Spillcorn Creek Ararat River (N.C. 103 bridge to U.S. 52 bridge) Spring Creek (junction of N.C. 209 and N.C. 63 to USFS Road 223) Mitchell River (0.6 mile upstream of the end of S.R. 1333 to the West Fork Shut-in Creek (lower game land boundary to S.R. 1330 bridge below Kapps Mill Dam) confluence with East Fork Shut-in Creek) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters Ararat River (S.R. 1727 bridge downstream to the N.C. 103 bridge) Big Creek (headwaters to the lower game land boundary, Big Elkin Creek (Dam 440 yards upstream of N.C. 268 bridge to including tributaries) a point 265 yards downstream of N.C. 268 [marked by a MCDOWELL COUNTY sign on each bank]) Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters Fisher River (Cooper Creek) (Virginia state line to Interstate Newberry Creek (game land portion) 77 bridge) Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Little Fisher River (Virginia state line to N.C. 89 bridge) Catawba River (portion adjacent to Marion Greenway) Pauls Creek (Virginia state line to 0.3 miles below S.R. 1625 bridge) Curtis Creek (game land portion downstream of the USFS SWAIN COUNTY boundary at Deep Branch) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Mill Creek (U.S. 70 bridge to I-40 bridge) Alarka Creek (game land boundary to Fontana Reservoir) Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Calderwood Reservoir (Cheoah Dam to Tennessee state line) Armstrong Creek (Cato Holler lower line downstream to Cheoah Reservoir upper Greenlee line) Connelly Creek (Camp Branch to Tuckasegee River) Catawba River (Catawba Falls Campground to Old Fort Deep Creek (Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary Recreation Park) line to Tuckasegee River) Little Buck Creek (game land portion) 2014/15 • 25 Nantahala River (Macon Co. line to existing Fontana Reservoir Howard Creek water level) Maine Branch (headwaters to North Fork New River) TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY North Fork New River (from confluence with Maine and Mine Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters branches to Ashe Co. line) Davidson River (headwaters to Avery Creek, excluding Avery Watauga River (Avery Co. line to S.R. 1580 bridge) Creek, Looking Glass Creek and Grogan Creek) Winkler Creek (lower bridge on S.R. 1549 to confluence with Delayed Harvest Trout Waters South Fork New River) East Fork French Broad River (Glady Fork to French Broad River) WILKES COUNTY Little River (confluence of Lake Dense to 100 yards downstream Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters of Hooker Falls) Dugger Creek (portion on Blue Ridge Mountain Club including Hatchery Supported Trout Waters tributaries) Davidson River (Avery Creek to lower USFS boundary line) Harris Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) French Broad River (confluence of North Fork French Broad Delayed Harvest Trout Waters River and West Fork French Broad River to the Island Ford Rd. East Prong Roaring River (Bullhead Creek downstream to Stone [S.R. 1110] Access Area) Mountain State Park lower boundary) Middle Fork French Broad River Elk Creek—upper (Watauga Co. line to lower boundary of Blue West Fork French Broad River (Camp Cove Branch to confluence Ridge Mountain Club) with North Fork French Broad) Elk Creek—lower (portion on Leatherwood Mountains Wild Trout Waters Development) All waters located on Gorges State Park Reddies River (Town of North Wilkesboro water intake dam to Whitewater River (downstream from Silver Run Creek to South confluence with Yadkin River) Carolina state line) Stone Mountain Creek (from falls at Alleghany Co. line to con - Wild Trout/Natural Bait Waters fluence with East Prong Roaring River and Bullhead Creek) North Fork French Broad River (game land portion down stream Hatchery Supported Trout Waters of S.R. 1326) Bell Branch Pond Thompson River (S.R. 1152 to South Carolina state line, except Boundary Line Pond where posted against trespassing) Cub Creek (0.5 miles upstream of S.R. 2460 bridge to S.R. 1001 WATAUGA COUNTY bridge) Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters Darnell Creek (North Prong Reddies River) (downstream ford on Dugger Creek (portions on Blue Ridge Mountain Club including S.R. 1569 to confluence with North Fork Reddies River) tributaries) East Prong Roaring River (Stone Mountain State Park lower Laurel Creek (portions on Blue Ridge Mountain Club and boundary to Brewer’s Mill on S.R. 1943) Powder Horn Mountain Development, including tributaries) Fall Creek (S.R. 1300 bridge to confluence with South Prong INLAND FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION & REGULATIONS INLAND FISHING Pond Creek (headwaters to Locust Ridge Road bridge, excluding Lewis Fork, except where posted against trespassing) the pond adjacent to Coffee Lake) Middle Fork Reddies River (Clear Prong) (headwaters to bridge Delayed Harvest Trout Waters on S.R. 1580) Coffee Lake Middle Prong Roaring River (headwaters to second bridge on Watauga River – upper (S.R. 1114 bridge to N.C. 194 bridge S.R. 1736) at Valle Crucis) North Fork Reddies River (Vannoy Creek) (headwaters to Union Watauga River – lower (S.R. 1103 bridge to confluence with School bridge on S.R. 1559) Laurel Creek) Pike Creek Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Pike Creek Pond Beaverdam Creek (confluence of Beaverdam Creek and Little South Fork Reddies River (S.R. 1355 bridge to confluence with Beaverdam Creek to an unnamed tributary adjacent to the Middle Fork Reddies River) intersection of S.R. 1201 and S.R. 1203) South Prong Lewis Fork (Fall Creek to S.R. 1155 bridge) Beech Creek Wild Trout Waters Buckeye Creek (Buckeye Creek Reservoir dam to Grassy Gap Creek) Big Sandy Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) Buckeye Creek Reservoir Garden Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) Cove Creek (S.R. 1233 bridge at Zionville to S.R. 1233 bridge Widow Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) at Amantha) YANCEY COUNTY Dutch Creek (second bridge on S.R. 1134 to mouth) Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Trout Waters Elk Creek (S.R. 1510 bridge at Triplett to Wilkes Co. line, except South Toe River (headwaters to Upper Creek, including tributaries) where posted against trespassing) Upper Creek (headwaters to South Toe River, including tributaries) Laurel Creek Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Meat Camp Creek Bald Mountain Creek (except where posted against trespassing) Middle Fork New River (Lake Chetola dam to South Fork New River) Cane River (Bee Branch [S.R. 1110] to Bowlens Creek) Norris Fork Creek Price Creek (junction of S.R. 1120 and S.R. 1121 to Indian Creek) South Fork New River (canoe launch 70 yards upstream of South Toe River (Clear Creek to lower boundary line of Yancey U.S. 421 bridge to lower boundary of Brookshire Park) Co. recreation park, except where posted against trespassing) Stony Fork (headwaters to Wilkes Co. line) Wild Trout Waters Wild Trout Waters Cattail Creek (bridge at Mountain Farm Community Road to Dutch Creek (headwaters to second bridge on S.R. 1134) N.C. 197 bridge) 26 • 2014/15 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. Lickskillet Creek Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] FISHING INLAND REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Middle Creek (game land boundary to mouth) McDowell County Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Some Public Mountain Trout Old Fort: Mill Creek (U.S. 70 bridge to the I-40 bridge) Waters running through or adjacent to certain cities or towns [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] may be further classified as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Any Mitchell County license that provides trout fishing privileges may be used to fish on Bakersville: Cane Creek (N.C. 226 bridge to S.R. 1189 bridge) Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Resident and nonresident anglers [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] may instead purchase a three-day Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Spruce Pine: North Toe River (U.S. 19E bridge to N.C. 226 license valid only on Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. This license bridge) [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations apply] is $5 for both residents and nonresidents and can be purchased Yancey County online at ncwildlife.org or by calling 888-248-6834, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Burnsville: South Toe River (property boundaries of the Yancey Monday – Friday. The following waters are classified as Mountain County Toe River Campground) [Hatchery Supported Trout Heritage Trout Waters and listed by county, Mountain Heritage Waters regulations apply] Trout City name and regulation type. The boundaries for Trout Fishing on Game Lands Mountain Heritage Trout Waters are marked with signs posted ● Fishing hours in any trout waters located on game lands are conspicuously along the watercourses. from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, Avery County except in the sections of the Nantahala River in Swain County Newland: North Toe River (Watauga St. bridge to Roby located on Nantahala Game Land and the sections of Green Shomaker Wet lands and Family Recreation Park) [Hatchery River in Polk County located on Green River Game Land from Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] the mouth of Cove Creek downstream to the natural gas Haywood County pipeline crossing, where night fishing is allowed. Maggie Valley: Jonathan Creek (upstream S.R. 1302 bridge to S.R. ● All waters on the game lands listed below are Public Mountain Trout 1309 bridge) [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] Waters and are classified as Wild Trout Waters, except as noted: Waynesville: Richland Creek (Russ Avenue bridge to U.S. 19 - Three Top Mountain Game Land in Ashe Co. bridge) [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] - Nantahala National Forest Game Land in Cherokee, Clay, Jackson County Graham, Jackson, Macon, Swain and Transylvania counties, Dillsboro: Scott Creek (Hometown Place Road to Tuckasegee except Cheoah River downstream of Santeetlah Reservoir River) [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] and Cherokee Lake. Tuckasegee River (Falls located 275 yards upstream of U.S. 23-441 - Pisgah National Forest Game Land in Avery, Buncombe, bridge to Scott Creek) [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, regulations apply] Mitchell, Transylvania and Yancey counties, except Grogan Tuckasegee River (Savannah Creek to falls located 275 yards upstream Creek, North Fork Catawba River downstream of the mouth of U.S. 23-441 bridge) [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters of Armstrong Creek, Big Laurel Creek downstream from the regulations apply] U.S. 25-70 bridge to the French Broad River, Mill Ridge Pond, Sylva: Scott Creek (Hospital Road to Hometown Place Road) Nolichucky River, Pigeon River downstream of Waterville [Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations apply] Reservoir to the Tennessee state line, and Spring Creek below Webster: Tuckasegee River (downstream N.C. 107 bridge to USFS Road 223. Savannah Creek) [Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations - Dupont State Forest Game Land in Henderson and Transylvania apply] counties, except Little River from 100 yards downstream of Madison County Hooker Falls downstream to the Dupont State Forest boundary, Hot Springs: Spring Creek (N.C. 209 bridge at Hot Springs city Lake Imaging, Lake Dense, Lake Alfred, Lake Julia, and Fawn Lake. limits to iron bridge at end of Andrews Avenue) [Delayed - Thurmond Chatham Game Land in Wilkes Co. - Toxaway Game Land in Transylvania Co. TROUT ANGLERS Did you know Eastern Hellbenders(a.k.a. - South Mountains Game Land in Cleveland and Rutherford “water dogs”) are harmless, nonvenomous, counties. giant, crayfish-eating, aquatic salamanders - Cold Mountain Game Land in Haywood Co. that are indicators of good water quality and - Green River Game Land in Henderson and Polk counties, healthy streams? Did you know that thriving, excluding Green River downstream of the natural gas diverse fish populations and healthy hell - pipeline crossing. Trout Fishing on the Blue Ridge Parkway Angling opportunities bender populations go hand-in-hand? on the Blue Ridge Parkway are managed by the National Park The Wildlife Resources Commission wants to Service which establishes fishing regulations for parkway waters. conserve this amazing mountain creature The Wildlife Resources Commission aides with management by and needs your help. If you accidentally stocking catchable-size trout into the following waters: catch a hellbender on hook and line, please County Water immediately release the animal at the spot Alleghany Brush Creek of capture by carefully removing the hook Alleghany Big Pine Creek if possible or cutting the line as close as Alleghany Meadow Fork Water dogs possible. Let us know where you found a Avery Linville River need your help! hellbender by calling 919-707-0050so we Buncombe Swannanoa River can map their distribution. Thanks! Watauga Middle Fork of the New River Watauga Price Lake 2014/15 • 27 Specific fishing regulations are displayed on signs located near fish - ● For special rules governing trotlines, see “Trotlines, Set-hooks ing access points, and all persons age 16 or older must possess a and Jug-hooks” (page 18). valid North Carolina or Virginia fishing license to fish parkway ● Crab pots may not be used in inland fishing waters or in waters. In addition, the parkway provides wild and catch-and- designated water fowl impoundments located on game lands, release trout fishing, as well as, angling for bass and sunfish. except that persons owning property adjacent to the inland For more information on fishing in parkway waters, contact: fishing waters of coastal rivers and their tributaries may set two Blue Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, crab pots attached to their property and a special device license NC 28803. Telephone: 828-271-4779, or at their website: is not required. http://www.nps.gov/blri/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm. ● Blue crabs may be taken recreationally with a single line with Trout Fishing on North Carolina State Parks Fishing in waters multiple baits without hooks (see restrictions under “Taking within a state park is limited to park operating hours. Additional Nongame Fish, Crustaceans, and Mollusks for Bait or Personal park information may be obtained at ncparks.gov or by Consumption” below). contacting the following park offices: Hook-and-Line Regulations for Nongame Fish South Mountains State Park 828-433-4772 * Season: Year-round Stone Mountain State Park 336-957-8185 * Minimum size limit: None Gorges State Park 828-966-9099 * Daily creel limit: None The following exceptions apply: NONGAME FISH ● The daily creel limit on channel, white and blue catfish Any fish not classified as a game fish is con sidered a nongame fish when (forked-tail catfish) is six fish in all game lands ponds found in inland fishing waters and includes shellfish and crustaceans. and in the following waters: Sale of Nongame Fish Alamance Cedarock Park Pond Alexander Ellendale Community Center Pond ● Nongame fish caught on hook and line, grabbling and by special fishing devices may be sold, subject to the following restrictions: Buncombe Azalea Park Pond 1. Bowfin may not be sold. Charles Owen Park Pond 2. Blueback herring and alewife taken by any method in inland Lake Julian waters may not be sold, except for those fish less than six Lake Tomahawk inches in length that are taken from Kerr Reservoir (Granville, Cabarrus Frank Liske Park Pond Vance, and Warren counties). TN Spencer Park Pond 3. Eels less than nine inches in length taken from inland fishing Cumberland Lake Rim* waters may not be possessed or sold. Edgecombe Etheridge Pond* 4. In Lake Norman and Badin Lake the daily possession limit for Indian Lake blue catfish greater than 32 inches in length is one. Newbold Pond* 5. Blue crabs taken from inland fishing waters with a line con- Forsyth CG Hill Memorial Park Pond INLAND FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION & REGULATIONS INLAND FISHING taining multiple baits may not be sold. Kernersville Lake 6. Seasons and size and creel limits for gray trout are the same as Village Point Lake those recreational limits established by Division of Marine Fish- Winston Park Pond* er ies in adjacent joint and coastal fishing waters. For current Gaston Dallas Park Pond limits, see portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/recreational-fishing-size- George Poston Park Pond and-bag-limits or call 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632. Granville Lake Devin 7. Those listed under “Miscellaneous Prohibitions” on page 34. Guilford Bur-Mill Park Ponds 8. A special fishing device license is required when taking non- Country Park Pond game fish with special fishing devices and also subject to Hagan Stone Park Ponds restrictions listed under “Special Fishing Devices,” on page Keeley Park Ponds 30, “Seasons and Waters” on pages 30–34, and “Fishing Oka T Hester Pond on Game Lands” on page 21. Lee San-Lee Park Ponds Lenoir Neuseway Nature Center Pond ● The sale of commercially raised nongame fish is regulated by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Mecklenburg Freedom Park Pond* Manner of Taking Nongame Fish Hornet’s Nest Park Pond McAlpine Lake ● Nongame fish may be taken by hook and line or by grabbling; no fish may be taken by snagging. Special devices may be used Squirrel Lake to take nongame fish with proper licenses (see “Special Fishing Moore Lake Luke Marion Devices,” page 30) in those counties and waters with open Orange Anderson Community Park Pond seasons (see “Seasons and Waters” pages 30–34). Lake Michael Pitt River Park North Ponds ● Nongame fishes may be taken year-round with archery equipment (see page 41) under any license that authorizes basic hunting or Polk Laughter Pond inland fishing privileges in waterfowl impoundments located Richmond Ellerbe Community Lake entirely on game lands and in all inland fishing waters other Hamlet City Lake than the impounded waters on the Sandhills Game Land, Public Hinson Lake Mountain Trout Waters, and reservoirs with restrictions on Rowan Dan Nicholas Park Pond taking grass carp listed on page 29. Salisbury Community Park Lake Stanly Albemarle City Lake Surry Big Elkin Creek 28 • 2014/15 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED.