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North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Marine Fisheries - Recreational Fishing - Striped Bass

Marine Fisheries

Striped Bass Recreational Fishing Regulations

8-point rule

 

 

Striped bass


Click here to view recent proclamations for recreational striped bass fishing.

Region

Contact

Season

Size Limit (TL)

Possession

Restrictions
Atlantic Ocean
  Charlton.Godwin@
ncdenr.gov
800-338-7805		 Year round 28” Minimum size 1 Striped Bass per person per day Landing Tags required May through October.
Roanoke River Management Area*
Map N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Katy Potoka
Katy.Potoka@
ncwildlife.org
252-339-5348 		 March 1 -
April 30
 18” minimum AND no striped bass between 22 inches and 27 inches in length. 2 Striped Bass per person per day.
Only 1 Striped Bass larger than 27 inches may be included in the daily creel limit.		 68,750 pound quota — season closed if reached
*The Roanoke River Management Area (RRMA) is designated as Roanoke River and its joint and inland tributaries, including Middle, Eastmost and Cashie rivers, up to the Roanoke Rapids dam.
Albemarle Sound Management Area**
Map

Sean.Darsee
@ncdenr.gov
800-338-7805
Out of state:
252-264-3911

October 1 – April 30 unless closed earlier by proclamation if the quota is reached.

 18” minimum

2 Striped Bass per person per day

 68,750 pound quota — season closed if reached
**The Albemarle Sound Management Area (ASMA) is designated as Albemarle Sound and all its joint and inland water tributaries, (except for the Roanoke, Middle, Eastmost and Cashie rivers), Currituck, Roanoke and Croatan sounds and all their joint and inland water tributaries, including Oregon Inlet, north of a line beginning at a point 35° 48 .3693’N - 75° 43 .7232’W on Roanoke Marshes Point, running southeasterly to a point 35° 44 .1710’N - 75° 31 .0520’W on the north point of Eagle Nest Bay.
Central Southern Management Area†
Map Todd.Mathes@
ncdenr.gov
800-338-7804		 Oct 1-
April 30		 18” minimum AND in Joint waters - No striped bass between 22” and 27” in length.  Inland waters 26” minimum. 2 Striped Bass per person per day  
†The Central Southern Management Area (CSMA) is designated as all internal coastal, and joint and contiguous inland waters south of a line beginning at a point 35° 48 .3693’N - 75° 43 .7232’W on Roanoke Marshes Point, running southeasterly to a point 35° 44 .1710’N - 75° 31 .0520’W on the north point of Eagle Nest Bay, to the South Carolina line.
Cape Fear River
Map Chris.Stewart@
ncdenr.gov
800-248-4536		 Closed Closed None allowed  
See also:
Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan
Atlantic Ocean Striped Bass Migratory Stock Information
Striped Bass Tagging Program		 Striped bass regulations handouts:
Upper Neuse
Lower Neuse
Pungo
Tar / Pamlico
Print
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries • 3441 Arendell Street • Morehead City, NC 28557 • 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632

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