North Carolina’s Coastal Recreational Fishing License

**This license is effective January 1, 2007 and can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis, or combined with a variety of licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission.

Hold'n On Fishing Team

45 lb King Mackerel (Back Left) and a 49.18 lb King Mackerel in front.  

(Sponsored by Alan Holden Vacations and RE/MAX at the Beach)

Requirements

This license allows recreational fisherman to harvest finfish for personal consumption; finfish harvested under this license cannot be sold.  Fishermen using this license are held to the state’s recreational size and possession limits.

The license is required to recreationally harvest finfish in the state’s Coastal Fishing Waters, which include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries, out to three miles in the ocean.  Recreational anglers who catch fish in the ocean will be required to have this license to land fish.  Fishing in Joint Waters (areas managed by both the Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources Commissions) will require either this or a WRC inland fishing license.

Exemptions

Those individuals who are under 16 years of age.

Individuals who purchased any of the following WRC licenses prior to January 1, 2006:

Operators of for-hire vessels and owners or operators of ocean fishing piers have the option to purchase a blanket license to cover their fishing patrons.

Waivers

A free license waiver is available for qualifying subsistence anglers from Dept. of Social Services.

Purchasing a License

A new license will be available from any DMF office, WRC license agents (which include most

Wal-Mart stores), on-line at WRC’s website www.ncwildlife.org or by calling Toll-Free 888-248-6834.

Marine Resources Funds

Proceeds from the sale of this license will go into two marine resources funds managed by the state’s Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Resources commissions.  Revenues must be used to managed, protect, restore, develop, cultivate, conserve, and/or enhance North Carolina’s marine resources.

Annual License

State Residents, age 16 or older - $15

Nonresidents, age 16 or older - $30

10-Day License

State Residents, age 16 or older - $5

Nonresidents, age 16 or older - $10

To view other license options, more license information or for the latest size and possession limits found in NC coastal waters, please visit the North Carolina Dept. of Marine Fisheries at North Carolina Dept. of Marine Fisheries or call the Dept. of Marine Fisheries at (252) 726-7021 or (800) 682-2632.