15A NCAC 03Q .0107      SPECIAL REGULATIONS: JOINT FISHING WATERS

The following shall supersede any inconsistent rules of the Marine Fisheries Commission or the Wildlife Resources Commission that would otherwise be applicable in joint fishing waters under the provisions of 15A NCAC 03Q .0106:

(1)           Striped Bass

(a)           It is unlawful to possess any striped bass or striped bass hybrid that is less than 18 inches total length.

(b)           It is unlawful to possess striped bass or striped bass hybrids between 22 and 27 inches total length in joint fishing waters of the Central Southern Management Area as designated in 15A NCAC 03R .0201.

(c)           It is unlawful to possess striped bass or striped bass hybrids May through September in the joint fishing waters of the Central Southern Management Area and the Albemarle Sound Management Area.

(d)           It is unlawful to possess striped bass or striped bass hybrids taken from the joint fishing waters of the Cape Fear River.

(e)           It is unlawful to possess more than one daily creel limit of striped bass or striped bass hybrids, in the aggregate, per person per day, regardless of the number of management areas fished.

(f)            Possession of fish shall be assessed for the creel and size limits of the management area in which the individual is found to be fishing, regardless of the size or creel limits for other management areas visited by that individual in a given day.

(g)           It is unlawful to engage in net fishing for striped bass or striped bass hybrids in joint fishing waters except as authorized by rules of the Marine Fisheries Commission as set forth in 15A NCAC 03M .0201, .0202, .0204, .0205, and .0512.

(2)           Lake Mattamuskeet:

(a)           It is unlawful to set or attempt to set any gill net in Lake Mattamuskeet canals designated as joint fishing waters.

(b)           It is unlawful to use or attempt to use any trawl net or seines in Lake Mattamuskeet canals designated as joint fishing waters.

(3)           Cape Fear River. It is unlawful to use or attempt to use any net, net stakes, or electrical fishing device within 800 feet of the dam at Lock No.1 on the Cape Fear River.

(4)           Shad: It is unlawful to possess more than 10 American shad or hickory shad, in the aggregate, per person per day taken by hook-and-line.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113‑132; 113‑134; 143B‑289.52;

Eff. January 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1993; November 1, 1991;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 1, 2000;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2008; September 1, 2005; April 1, 2001; August 1, 2000;

Readopted Eff. March 15, 2023.