15A NCAC 10C .0305. BLACK BASS

(a)  The daily creel limit for Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass — collectively known as Black Bass — is five fish, except in waters identified in Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Rule.  There is no minimum size limit for these fish, but only two of them may be less than 14 inches except in waters identified in Paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) and (k) of this Rule. There is no closed season, except for waters identified in Paragraph (k) of this Rule.

(b)  In Lake Cammack in Alamance County and Lake Holt in Granville County the daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass is 10 fish and no more than two fish greater than 14 inches may be possessed.

(c)  In Lake Santeetlah in Graham County, there is no daily creel limit for Black Bass less than 14 inches. The daily creel limit for Black Bass greater than 14 inches is five fish.

(d)  The minimum size limit for Black Bass is 14 inches, with no exceptions in:

(1)           Lake Raleigh in Wake County;

(2)           Lake Mattamuskeet and associated canals in Hyde County;

(3)           Pungo Lake in Washington and Hyde counties;

(4)           New Lake in Hyde County;

(5)           and the Currituck, Roanoke, Croatan and Albemarle sounds and all their tributaries including Roanoke River downstream of Roanoke Rapids Dam, Chowan River, Yeopim River, Pasquotank River, Perquimans River, North River, Northwest River, Scuppernong River and Alligator River (including the Alligator/Pungo Canal east of the NC Hwy 264/45 bridge).

(e)  In Cane Creek Lake in Union County, and Buckhorn Reservoir in Wilson and Nash counties, the minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 16 inches, with no exceptions. 

(f)  In Lake Phelps the minimum size limit is 14 inches, with no exceptions, and no fish between 16 and 20 inches may be possessed.

(g)  In Shearon Harris Reservoir, there is no minimum size limit for Black Bass, but only two Black Bass less than 14 inches and no Black Bass between 16 and 20 inches may be possessed. 

(h)  In Randleman Reservoir, there is no minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass, but only two Largemouth Bass less than 14 inches and only one Largemouth Bass greater than 20 inches may be possessed.

(i)  In Lake Thom-A-Lex in Davidson County, the minimum size limit for Black Bass is 18 inches with no exceptions.

(j)  In the Alleghany County portion of New River downstream of Fields Dam (Grayson County, Virginia) there is no minimum size limit for Black Bass, but no fish between 14 and 20 inches in length may be possessed and only one Black Bass greater than 20 inches may be possessed. 

(k)  In Sutton Lake, the minimum size limit for Black Bass is 14 inches with no exceptions and no Black Bass may be possessed from December 1 through March 31.

(l)  For purposes of this Rule, creel limits apply to Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass in aggregate unless otherwise specified.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 10, 1990, for a period of 180 days to expire on November 1, 1990;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 22, 1990, for a period of 168 days to expire on November 1, 1990;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 1, 1991, for a period of 180 days to expire on November 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1994; July 1, 1993; October 1, 1992;

Temporary Amendment Eff. December 1, 1994 for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes effective, whichever is sooner;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; July 1, 1997; July 1, 1996; July 1, 1995;

Temporary Amendment Eff. November 1, 1998;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1999;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2001;

Temporary Amendment Eff. March 8, 2002 [This rule replaces the rule proposed for permanent amendment effective July 1, 2002 and approved by RRC in May 2001];

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002 (approved by RRC in April 2002);

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2004 (this amendment replaces the amendment approved by RRC on July 17, 2003);

Amended Eff. November 1, 2013; August 1, 2012; March 1, 2012; August 1, 2011; August 1, 2010; May 1, 2009; July 1, 2008; May 1, 2008; May 1, 2007; May 1, 2006; June 1, 2005.