Help preserve the future of fish in North Carolina for future generations. Find out everything you need to know about getting a North Carolina fishing license!
In North Carolina, the services provided by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are funded mainly by license sales. To help preserve fishing for future anglers, anyone 16 or older must buy a license to fish.
This rule applies whether you are fishing in inland, joint or coastal waters. Depending on where you plan to fish in North Carolina, you’ll need to apply for either an inland fishing license or a coastal recreational fishing license. Either license is also good for fishing in joint waters.
There are several types of fishing licenses available to both residents and non-residents alike who plan to fish in North Carolina waters. These include:
Those who receive Medicaid, Food Stamps or Work First Family Assistance can get a license waiver from the county Department of Social Services and fish for free.
There are also licenses for disabled anglers and those living in adult care homes who are residents of North Carolina. These include:
Another option, depending on what other activities you plan to take part in, is to get a combination hunting and fishing license. Your options for these depend on where and when the activities occur and where you reside.
To get a fishing license and the fees you’ll be charged, a resident is a person who has resided in North Carolina for six months or has established a permanent residence for 60 days. Even if they’re non-residents, students attending a college in North Carolina and military personnel stationed in the state can purchase a resident license.
North Carolina has agreements with certain states that allow licenses from those states to be honored in certain boundary waters. Reciprocity agreements are in place for:
You have several options when it comes to purchasing your North Carolina fishing license.
No matter how you plan to buy your license, you’ll need to have a picture ID.
NC FISHING LAWS & REGULATIONS
North Carolina has its own set of fishing laws and regulations that need to be followed in order to protect their fish populations
NC FRESHWATER FISHING REGULATIONS NC SALTWATER FISHING REGULATIONSRESPONSIBLE FISHING STARTS WITH YOU
Learn how you can start protecting our aquatic natural resources.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CONSERVATION THE IMPORTANCE OF FISHING REGULATIONS CATCH AND RELEASE BEST PRACTICESNC FISHING RESOURCES/INFO
Additional resources and information can be found directly on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission site.
FISHING TYPES & LICENSE FEES BUY YOUR NORTH CAROLINA FISHING LICENSE ONLINE