15A NCAC 10C .0314. STRIPED BASS

(a)  The daily creel limit for Striped Bass and its hybrids is eight fish in the aggregate, except in waters identified in Paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this Rule.  There is no minimum size limit for these fish, but only two of them may be less than 16 inches, except in waters identified in Paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this Rule. There is no closed season, except for waters identified in Paragraphs (g), (h), (i), (j), and (k) of this Rule.

(b)  In the Dan River upstream from its confluence with Bannister River to the dam at Union Street in Danville, VA and in John H. Kerr Reservoir, the daily creel limit on Striped Bass and its hybrids is two in the aggregate and the minimum size limit is 24 inches from October 1 through May 31.  From June 1 through September 30, the daily creel limit on Striped Bass and its hybrids is four in the aggregate with no minimum size limit.

(c)  In the Cape Fear River upstream of Buckhorn Dam, the Deep River to the first impoundment, the Haw River to the first impoundment, B. Everett Jordan Reservoir, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Hickory, and Lookout Shoals Reservoir, the daily creel limit on Striped Bass and its hybrids is four in the aggregate and the minimum size limit is 20 inches.

(d)  In Lake Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Reservoir, the daily creel limit on Striped Bass and its hybrids is four in the aggregate.  The minimum size limit for these fish is 20 inches from October 1 through May 31.  There is no minimum size limit for these fish from June 1 through September 30.

(e)  In Lake Norman, the daily creel limit on Striped Bass and its hybrids is four in the aggregate and the minimum size limit for these fish is 16 inches.

(f)  In Lake Matamuskeet, and in the Pee Dee River and its tributaries downstream from the Blewett Falls Dam to the South Carolina state line, the daily creel limit is three fish in the aggregate, and the minimum size limit is 18 inches.

(g)  In the inland fishing waters of Neuse, Pungo and Tar Pamlico rivers and their tributaries extending upstream to the first impoundment of the main course on the river or its tributaries, and in all other inland fishing waters east of Interstate 95 not specified in Paragraphs (f), (h), (i), and (j) of this Rule, the daily creel limit for Striped Bass and its hybrids is two fish in the aggregate.  The minimum size limit is 18 inches but no Striped Bass or hybrids between the lengths of 22 inches and 27 inches shall be possessed. In these waters, the season for taking and possessing Striped Bass is closed from May 1 through September 30.

(h)  In the inland fishing waters of the Cape Fear River and its tributaries downstream of Buckhorn Dam, the season for taking and possessing Striped Bass is closed year-round.

(i)  In the inland and joint fishing waters [as identified in 15A NCAC 10C .0107(1)(e)] of the Roanoke River Striped Bass Management Area, which includes the Roanoke, Cashie, Middle, and Eastmost rivers and their tributaries, the open season for taking and possessing Striped Bass and its hybrids is March 1 through April 30 from the joint-coastal fishing waters boundary at Albemarle Sound upstream to Roanoke Rapids Lake dam.  During the open season, the daily creel limit for Striped Bass and its hybrids is two fish in the aggregate and the minimum size limit is 18 inches. No fish between 22 inches and 27 inches in length shall be possessed in the daily creel limit.  Only one fish larger than 27 inches may be possessed in the daily creel limit.

(j)  In designated inland fishing waters of Roanoke Sound, Croatan Sound, Albemarle Sound, Chowan River, Currituck Sound, Alligator River, Scuppernong River, and their tributaries (excluding the Roanoke River and Cashie River and their tributaries), Striped Bass fishing season, size limits and creel limits are the same as those established by rules or proclamations of the Marine Fisheries Commission in adjacent joint or coastal fishing waters.

(k)  The Executive Director may, by proclamation, suspend or extend the hook-and-line season for Striped Bass in the inland and joint waters of coastal rivers and their tributaries.  It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued under this authority.

 

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

Eff. November 1, 2013;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2014.