SECTION .0300 – GAME FISH IN INLAND FISHING WATERS

15A NCAC 10C .0301      INLAND GAME FISHES DESIGNATED

(a)  The following fishes are classified and designated as inland game fishes in inland, joint, and coastal fishing waters:

(1)           Alabama bass, largemouth bass, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass;

(2)           black crappie and white crappie;

(3)           chain pickerel (jack), muskellunge, and redfin pickerel;

(4)           kokanee salmon;

(5)           mountain trout, all species including but not limited to brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout;

(6)           sauger and walleye; and

(7)           sunfish, including bluegill (bream), flier, pumpkinseed, redbreast (robin), redear (shellcracker), Roanoke bass, rock bass (redeye), warmouth, and all other species of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) not specifically listed in this Rule.

(b)  The following fishes are classified as inland game fishes when found in inland fishing waters:

(1)           American shad and hickory shad;

(2)           black bullhead, brown bullhead, flat bullhead, snail bullhead, white catfish, and yellow bullhead;

(3)           flounder;

(4)           red drum (channel bass, red fish, puppy drum);

(5)           spotted sea trout (speckeled trout);

(6)           striped bass, white bass, white perch, and Morone hybrids (striped bass-white bass); and

(7)           yellow perch.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113‑134;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2005; June 1, 2004; July 1, 1996; July 1, 1990; July 1, 1983; January 1, 1981; January 1, 1980;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023.