FREE NORTH CAROLINA 2016 COASTAL RECREATIONAL FISHING DIGEST Saltwater Regulations and More How to Fish on an Artificial Reef Pages 8 - 9 Seasons, Size and Creel Limits Begin on page 12 License Information Page 4 Product of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Marine Fisheries Good Reef! It’s Fishing Time in Coastal North Carolina! It’s a great new year for fishing on As always, this digest contains information Cobia the North Carolina coast, and the on fishing license options, tips for ethical The daily angling, how to identify and measure fish, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is recreational and a regulations table. bag limit pleased to introduce the 2016 Coastal Because marine fisheries regulations are for cobia Recreational Fishing Digest. subject to change frequently, anglers should dropped to one-fish-per-person in February. check the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ New to this year’s digest is an article on how website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ Fishermen should also frequently check to fish on North Carolina’s artificial reefs. recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits for http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ the most up-to-date fishing regulations. proclamations for an announcement of a An artificial reef is a manmade underwater cobia season closure. structure designed to serve many of the Notable regulatory changes this year include: habitat functions as a natural reef. North Carolina has 42 ocean artificial reefs Sheepshead Flounder and 20 estuarine reefs and oyster/fishing A 10-inch fork length The flounder sanctuaries. Coordinates and information size limit and 10-fish- season will close about the materials on these reefs can be per-person daily bag Oct. 16-Dec. 31 found at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ limit on sheepshead was for the recreational hook-and-line and gig artificial-reefs-program. established in June 2015. fisheries. Coastal Angling Program Fish bones for science Occasionally, while you are fishing you may Fishermen can help the N.C. Division of be approached by someone from the N.C. Marine Fisheries collect scientific data on the Division of Marine Fisheries who is carrying recreational fishery by donating their cleaned a clipboard and wants to ask you some fish to the Carcass Collection Program. The questions. program collects carcasses from many species. This person is conducting an in-person When a fisherman cleans a fish, he should leave interview for the division’s Coastal Angling the head and tail intact on the carcass, and then Program, which includes recreational fishing take it to one of the division’s freezer locations. survey programs that gather statistics that are Instructions on target species and how to used to help determine the health of fish In addition, the division sends written deposit the carcasses are posted on the freezer. populations and what size and bag limits or questionnaires through the mail to Coastal Those participating will be required to provide seasons are needed. Recreational Fishing License holders their name and address. Anglers also will be throughout the year. The questionnaires asked to give information related to when and Division staff go out to boat ramps, to the ask for information such as where an angler beach and piers to ask fishermen where they where the fish was caught. Rewards will be fished, how many fish they caught, and how given to anglers taking part in the program. fished, how long they fished and what fish many fish they threw back. Anglers can they targeted. They will ask to weigh and answer this survey by mail or online at Division biologists will collect the carcasses, measure the fish caught and ask what was http://ncrecfish.com. measure the fish, determine the sex, if thrown back. They may also ask questions possible, and remove the otoliths (ear bones) about trip expenditures. Anglers can also use this web-based tool to determine the fish’s age. The information to record their individual fishing trips and collected will be used for stock assessments at The division interviews roughly 20,000 monitor their fishing success. Information the state and federal levels. anglers per year during both day and from the Coastal Angling Journal enables nighttime hours, at public and private water the division to better characterize and assess For more information, see http://portal. access sites. recreational fisheries. ncdenr.org/web/mf/carcass-collection. 2 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016 Get Hooked on Ethical Angling Tools of the ethical angler: needle nose pliers, de-hooking device and barbless hook. If possible, leave the fish in the water while using a de-hooking device to remove the hook. What is ethical angling? While you fish • Use a de-hooking device or needle-nose Ethical angling is a set of habits adopted by • Practice catch and release. Many released pliers to grip the hook and gently pull conservation-minded fishermen that aims to fish survive to be caught another day. the hook free. Do not twist the hook. If necessary, cut the hook to remove it. protect the well-being of one of North Carolina’s • Use circle hooks to help prevent the fish most prized natural resources – its fisheries. from swallowing the hook. • If the hook has been swallowed, cut the fishing line as close to the hook as While regulations are in place to ensure that • Pinch the barb down on circle hooks and possible; the hook may dissolve in the J-hooks to make it easier to release the fish fish populations can reproduce and sustain fish’s digestive system. the population, ethical anglers go beyond just without causing more damage. • Return the fish to the water as gently as obeying size and bag limits. Ethical anglers • Match your gear size and strength to possible. If possible, slide the fish back fish in a way that minimizes harm to the fish your target species. Using proper gear into the water, holding it near the surface, and their environment. reduces the time that a fish is on the line, allowing water to pass over its gills. When improving a released fish’s survival odds. Here are some easy ways to get started the fish attempts to swim on its own, it on becoming an ethical angler, but more • Use non-stainless steel hooks. If lost to the is ready to be let go. Tossing the fish back information, including sample riggings, environment or left inside a fish, they will into the water may harm it. videos on ethical technique and habitat rust away. protection information, can be found at • Do not fight a fish to exhaustion. Tighten Protect the environment http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/edu/ the drag and land it as quickly as possible. • Never throw trash overboard. Take it to ethical-angling. shore and properly dispose of it. • Do not discard a previously caught legal fish for a larger fish to remain within the • Never dump raw sewage overboard. Use Before you go bag limit. This is a waste of fish. pump-out facilities and dump stations • Make sure you have a valid Coastal to dispose of sewage. Dumping sewage Recreational Fishing License or are To release your catch directly into the water is illegal and can covered under an exemption. • If possible, leave the fish in the water while introduce disease into the water. removing the hook. If you must remove • Check the latest size and bag limits on • Avoid spilling oil and gasoline into the the fish from the water, use a rubber dip the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ water or on land. net to lift the fish. website, http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ • Never harm marine mammals or birds recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits. • Keep the fish out of the water for as little even if they try to steal your bait or catch. Size and bag limits can change frequently. time as possible. If taking a picture, have your camera ready to shoot before the fish • Attempt to retrieve all tackle and gear that • Become familiar with the fish commonly is landed so that you can return the catch may get snagged or fall overboard. caught in North Carolina waters so that to the water with minimal stress. • Use fish-cleaning stations and trash you can properly apply size and bag limits • Handle the fish as little as possible. When receptacles. Excessive fish waste deposited (see center poster of this digest). you must handle the fish, be gentle, but directly into marine basins can produce • Stock your tackle box with a pair of still grip it firmly enough to prevent it foul odors and impair water quality. needle-nose pliers or a de-hooking device, from thrashing around. Never touch a • Report any pollution or environmental a tape measure and a glove or towel. fish’s gills. damage to the appropriate authorities. N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016 3 Coastal Recreational Fishing License Recreational Commercial North Carolina requires people 16 or older to hold a Coastal Recreational Fishing License to fish Gear License in coastal waters of the state. A variety of license options are available and they can be purchased at many tackle shops, at N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Wildlife Resources Recreational fishermen who Commission offices and online at http://www.ncwildlife.org. A $2 transaction fee will be added want to use a gill net or other to the price of all licenses. commercial gear in N.C. coastal Revenues from license sales are used to manage, protect, restore, develop, cultivate, conserve and waters need to purchase a enhance North Carolina’s marine resources.