Back Close

How to Catch Fish How to Tie Fishing Knots Fishing Gear and Tackle How to Fish with Lures How to Fish with Live Bait Fishing Safety Fishing Tips When to Fish Types of Fishing Fishing Terms Fishing and Conservation View All

When to Saltwater Fish Saltwater Bait and Lures Saltwater Fishing Tackle Types of Saltwater Fishing Saltwater Fishing Gear Saltwater Fish Species Saltwater Fishing Basics FAQ View All

Best Freshwater Fishing When to Freshwater Fish Freshwater Bait and Lures Learn About Freshwater Fish Species Best Freshwater Fishing Gear Freshwater Fishing FAQ View All

Fly Fishing Basics Fly Fishing Flies Fly Fishing Gear Fly Casting View All

Ice Fishing Basics Ice Fishing Gear Ice Fishing Techniques View All

Boating Basics How to Boat Boating and Water Safety Choose Your Boat Use our Boat Explorer Tool Get on the Water View All

Select a state to find fishing and boating information:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho

Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri

Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania

Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Get A Fishing License

Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more.

Get a North Carolina Fishing License

To take advantage of fishing North Carolina’s inland streams and saltwater shorelines, you will need to buy a NC fishing license. You can buy an inland fishing license or saltwater fishing license as a resident or non-resident and save money over the long-term by selecting an annual or lifetime option.

NORTH CAROLINA FISHING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Each state has specific fishing rules in place to help manage fish populations and natural resources. After you buy an inland or saltwater fishing license, be sure to check the North Carolina regulations so that you understand seasons and limits.

IT’S NOT A FEE, IT’S A CONTRIBUTION

Inland and saltwater fishing license fees help support state conservation efforts. Funds from your North Carolina fishing license purchase go towards activities like habitat research, hatcheries, fish stocking and conservation education.

NORTH CAROLINA FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION

Fishing licenses can be purchased from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission online or from a local tackle shop or outdoor retailer that serves as a wildlife service agent.
North Carolina fishing licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase unless otherwise noted on the license.
All people age 16 years and older are required to have a valid fishing license to fish in North Carolina waters.