Trout-fishing regulations in North Carolina can change from stream to stream and even from one part of a stream to another. Most backcountry creeks are designated as “Wild Trout Waters” and that quickly narrows down what anglers can use and what he can possess in terms of fish.
Be sure to look for the diamond-shaped signs that designate what kind of trout stream you are fishing. They will be attached to stream-side trees and at spots where streams are crossed by bridges.
Wild-trout waters can be “Wild Natural Bait Waters” where fishermen can use any type of natural bait year-round, but there’s a four-fish daily creel limit and 7-inch size minimum. Streams designated as “Wild Trout Waters” allow anglers to keep four fish at least 7 inches long using single-hook artificial lures with no closed season. Several other streams are managed for catch-and-release only, either using single-hook, artificial lures or single-hook flies only.
The Commission also manages streams as “hatchery supported waters” where there are no bait or size restrictions and a seven-fish daily creel limit. The season is closed in March. It also has a number of bigger, popular streams in its “Delayed Harvest” regulations, which allow harvest from early June through Oct. 1, then catch-and-release only through the fall, winter and spring.
Streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are managed with slightly different regulations. No natural bait can be used. Artificial, single-hook lures can be used, including flies, with a single dropper. There is no closed season, a five-fish daily creel limit and a 7-inch size mininum.
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