North Carolina Fishing License
Fishing in North Carolina
North Carolina spans the Smokies to the Outer Banks. The mountain trout streams of Pisgah and Nantahala — the Davidson, Tuckasegee, and Nantahala — hold wild and stocked rainbows and browns. Fontana, Hiwassee, and Lake James grow trophy smallmouth. Jordan, High Rock, and Falls produce big largemouth and stripers. On the coast, the Outer Banks deliver red drum, cobia, false albacore, king mackerel, and offshore blue marlin and yellowfin tuna. Currituck Sound is a duck-hunter and bass haven.
License Types & Fees
| License | Fee |
|---|---|
| Resident Annual State Inland Fishing Includes Public Mountain Trout Waters and joint waters | $30.00 |
| Resident Annual Coastal Recreational (CRFL) | $19.00 |
| Resident Unified Inland + Coastal Annual Covers inland + coastal + Public Mountain Trout Waters | $49.00 |
| Resident Unified Sportsman + Coastal Annual Adds big-game hunting privileges | $82.00 |
| Resident Inland 10-Day | $11.00 |
| Resident 10-Day CRFL | $8.00 |
| Resident Subsistence Unified Waiver For residents on Medicaid, Food Stamps, or Work First — obtained through county DSS | Free |
| Resident Special Device Inland Authorizes nongame fish takings with seines, gill nets, gigs, etc. | $95.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual State Inland | $54.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual CRFL | $38.00 |
| Non-Resident Inland 10-Day | $28.00 |
| Non-Resident 10-Day CRFL | $14.00 |
| Non-Resident Special Device Inland | $630.00 |
| Lifetime Comprehensive Inland (Resident) | $315.00 |
| Lifetime Unified Inland + Coastal (Resident) | $567.00 |
| Lifetime Senior Inland (Resident) | $19.00 |
| Lifetime Adult CRFL (Resident) | $315.00 |
| Lifetime Adult CRFL (Non-Resident) | $630.00 |
| Lifetime Youth CRFL (1–11) | $189.00 |
| Lifetime Infant CRFL (under 1) | $126.00 |
| Lifetime Senior CRFL (Resident) | $19.00 |
| Lifetime Disabled Veteran Inland (Resident) | $14.00 |
| Lifetime Disabled Veteran CRFL (Resident) | $14.00 |
| Lifetime Totally Disabled Inland (Resident) | $14.00 |
| Lifetime Totally Disabled CRFL (Resident) | $14.00 |
| Lifetime Legally Blind Unified (Resident) | Free |
| Lifetime Adult Care Home Unified (Resident) Valid during time of residency at adult care facility | Free |
| Block of 10 × 10-Day CRFL (vessel ≥23 ft) | $150.00 |
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current pricing on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website before purchasing.
Anglers age 16 and older need a license. North Carolina splits inland (NCWRC) and coastal (CRFL, administered by NC DMF) into separate licenses, but the Unified Inland + Coastal at $49 is the workhorse SKU for most resident anglers — it covers everything including Public Mountain Trout Waters with no separate trout stamp. Subsistence waivers are available through the county DSS for residents on Medicaid/Food Stamps/Work First.
Log Your North Carolina Catches
CatchVault is available on iOS. Identify species with AI, measure with LiDAR, and keep a private journal of every fish you land in North Carolina.