15A NCAC 10C .0416      BLUE Catfish, CHANNEL CatFISH, and FLATHEAD CATFISH

(a)  There is no daily creel limit for blue, channel, and flathead catfish, except for waters identified in Paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) of this Rule.

(b)  There is no minimum size limit.

(c)  There is no closed season.

(d)  In waters that are stocked and managed for catfish and located on game lands, on Commission-owned property, or on the property of a cooperator, including waters within the Community Fishing Program, no person shall take channel or blue catfish by means other than hook and line.

(e)  In waters that are stocked and managed for catfish and located on game lands, on Commission-owned property, or on the property of a cooperator, including waters within the Community Fishing Program, the daily creel limit for channel catfish is seven on waters posted with signs indicating the creel limit.

(f)  The daily creel limit for blue catfish greater than 32 inches is one fish in the following waters:

(1) Lake Norman;

(2) Mountain Island Lake;

(3) Lake Wylie;

(4) Badin Lake;

(5) Lake Tillery;

(6) John H. Kerr Reservoir (North Carolina portion);

(7) Dan River (Downstream of the Union Street Dam in Danville, VA);

(8) Lake Gaston (North Carolina portion); and

(9) Roanoke Rapids Reservoir.

(g)  The daily creel limit is five catfish in aggregate on the Pee Dee River downstream of Blewett Falls Dam to the South Carolina state line and all tributaries.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-292; 113-304; 113-305;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 1, 2022;

Eff. March 15, 2023.