15A NCAC 10C .0305 LarGEMOUTH bass

(a) The daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass is five fish, except in waters identified in Paragraphs (d), (e), (f), (l), (m), and (n) of this Rule.

(b) There is no minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass, but only two of them may be less than 14 inches except in waters identified in Paragraphs (d) through (n) of this Rule.

(d) In Lake Cammack in Alamance County, and Lake Holt in Granville County the daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass is 10 fish and no more than two fish greater than 14 inches may be possessed.

(e) In Lake Santeetlah in Graham County, there is no daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass less than 14 inches. The daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass greater than 14 inches is five fish in aggregate.

(f) In Lake Chatuge in Clay County, the daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Alabama Bass, and Spotted Bass is 10 fish in aggregate. The minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 12 inches.

(g) The minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 14 inches in the following:

(1) Lake Raleigh in Wake County;

(2) Lake Sutton in New Hanover County;

(3) Pungo Lake in Washington and Hyde counties;

(4) New Lake in Hyde County; and

(5) Currituck, Roanoke, Croatan, Albemarle sounds, and all their tributaries including Roanoke River downstream of Roanoke Rapids Dam, Chowan River, Meherrin River, Yeopim River, Pasquotank River, Perquimans River, Little River, Big Flatty Creek, North River, Northwest River, Scuppernong River, Alligator River, including the Alligator/Pungo Canal east of the NC Hwy 264/45 bridge, and all other associated tributaries and canals in these river systems.

(h) In Cane Creek Lake in Union County, and Buckhorn Reservoir in Wilson and Nash counties, the minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 16 inches.

(i) In Lake Phelps in Tyrrell and Washington counties, the minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 14 inches, and no fish between 16 and 20 inches may be possessed.

(j) In Shearon Harris Reservoir in Chatham and Wake counties and Lake Hampton in Yadkin County, there is no minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass, but only two Largemouth Bass less than 14 inches and no Largemouth Bass between 16 and 20 inches may be possessed.

(k) In Lake Thom-A-Lex in Davidson County, the minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 18 inches.

(l) In the Alleghany County portion of New River downstream of Fields Dam (Grayson County, Virginia), the daily creel limit for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Spotted Bass is five fish in aggregate. There is no minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass, but no fish between 14 and 22 inches in length may be possessed and only one Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, or Spotted Bass greater than 22 inches may be possessed.

(m) In Lake Mattamuskeet and associated canals in Hyde County, the minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass is 16 inches and only one Largemouth Bass greater than 20 inches may be possessed.

(n) In Jean Guite Creek and associated canals within the Town of Southern Shores in Dare County and in the ponds associated with Martin Marietta Park in Craven County, no Largemouth Bass may be possessed.

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

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 10, 1990, for a period of 180 days to expire on November 1, 1990;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 22, 1990, for a period of 168 days to expire on November 1, 1990;

Temporary Amendment Eff. May 1, 1991, for a period of 180 days to expire on November 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1994; July 1, 1993; October 1, 1992;

Temporary Amendment Eff. December 1, 1994 for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes effective, whichever is sooner;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; July 1, 1997; July 1, 1996; July 1, 1995;

Temporary Amendment Eff. November 1, 1998;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1999;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2001;

Temporary Amendment Eff. March 8, 2002 [This rule replaces the rule proposed for permanent amendment effective July 1, 2002 and approved by RRC in May 2001];

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002 (approved by RRC in April 2002);

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2004 (this amendment replaces the amendment approved by RRC on July 17, 2003);

Amended Eff. August 1, 2018; August 1, 2017; August 1, 2016; November 1, 2013; August 1, 2012; March 1, 2012; August 1, 2011; August 1, 2010; May 1, 2009; July 1, 2008; May 1, 2008; May 1, 2007; May 1, 2006; June 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. March 15, 2023; August 1, 2021; August 1, 2020.