15A NCAC 10C .0302      MANNER OF TAKING INLAND GAME FISHES

(a)  Inland game fishes may only be taken with hook and line unless otherwise provided.

(b)  Landing nets may be used to land fishes caught on hook and line.

(c)  Game fishes taken incidental to the use of special devices for taking nongame fishes from inland fishing waters as authorized in 15A NCAC 10C .0402 or as authorized by 15A NCAC 10C .0407 by anglers licensed pursuant to G.S. 113-272.2(c) shall be immediately returned to the water unharmed except:

(1)           that a daily creel limit of American and hickory shad may be taken with dip nets and bow nets from March 1 through April 30 in those waters where those gears may be lawfully used; and

(2)           white perch may be taken when captured in a cast net being used to collect nongame fishes in impounded waters west of Interstate 95 and in the Tar River Reservoir in Nash County.

(d)  Inland game fishes taken from Inland Fishing Waters shall not be sold.

(e)  In the inland waters of the Roanoke River upstream of U.S. 258 bridge, only a single barbless circle hook may be used when fishing with live or natural bait from April 1 to June 30. With other tackle, only a single barbless hook may be used. "Circle hook" as used in this Rule means a hook with the point turned perpendicularly back to the shank. "Barbless" as used in this Rule requires that the hook does not have a barb or the barb is bent down.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-272.3; 113-292;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1996; October 1, 1994; July 1, 1993; May 1, 1992; January 1, 1982;

Temporary Amendment Eff. November 1, 1998;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2014; August 1, 2002; April 1, 1999;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2023; March 15, 2023.