Albemarle Sound Fishing
Camden County plus 4 other counties, coastal fishing waters.
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Angling Albemarle Sound
You will find Albemarle Sound, a sound, in Camden County plus 4 other counties. Roughly 341.2 square miles of water carry the name on Census maps. The coastal-joint-inland map marks its center as coastal fishing waters. Striped bass rules here follow the Albemarle Sound Management Area.
Close by sit 2 coastal launches. The NCDMF anglers guide pairs it with striped bass and white perch.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Ramps by Albemarle Sound
- Fort Landingboat ramp, coastal waters, 7 miles
- Big Flatty1 lane, 12 trailer spaces, 1 dock, joint waters, 7 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
NCDMF artificial reefs off Albemarle Sound
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-197 Roanoke Island | 15 | Natural Material (34), Tires (1) | 2019 to 2021 | 22 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
NCDMF text naming Albemarle Sound
“In all coastal inland waters from the Albemarle Sound south to the Cape Fear River.”
“The state also has 25 estuarine reefs in Albemarle and Pamlico sounds and the Pungo, Pamlico and Neuse rivers.”
“Sometimes confused with: juvenile striped bass, white bass. 86 Habitat: White perch are found in brackish and freshwaters along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to South Carolina, especially in large sounds like the Chesapeake Bay or Albemarle Sound.”
Quoted from NCDMF anglers guides (source). Checked October 2026.
What you may keep from Albemarle Sound
Rows for coastal and joint waters and the Albemarle Sound Management Area.
| Species | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 1 a day | 18-27 in | Year-round |
| Flounder (all species) | 1 a day | 15 in minimum | Sept. 1-14, 2026 |
| Spotted seatrout | 3 a day | 14-20 in, plus 1 over 26 in | Open (reopened July 1, 2026) |
| Weakfish | 1 a day | 12 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Black drum | 10 a day | 14-25 in, plus 1 over 25 in | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Sheepshead | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Striped bass (Albemarle Sound Management Area) | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Bluefish | 5 a day | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Spanish mackerel | 15 a day | 12 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Cobia | 1 a day | 36 in minimum | May 1 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Spot | 3 a day | 14-20 in, plus 1 over 26 in | Open (reopened July 1, 2026) |
| Atlantic croaker | 50 a day | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Blue crab (recreational) | 50 a day | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCDMF recreational size and bag limits and 2026 proclamations, checked October 2026. Coastal and joint limits.
Hired help on Albemarle Sound
Guided trips on Albemarle Sound
- Albemarle Guided Fishingcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Hertford, (252) 264-4567
- Bak Bar Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Hatteras Landing / Teach's Lair marinas, (252) 216-8576
- Beach Bum Fishingcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Kill Devil Hills, (252) 449-0232
- Capt Johnny Inccoastal charter (trip type not stated), Manteo, (252) 473-9414
- Carolina Girl Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Hatteras Landing / Teach's Lair marinas, (252) 256-1672
- Country Girl Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Manteo, (252) 473-5881
- Drum Roll Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Hatteras Landing / Teach's Lair marinas, (252) 305-3012
- Elizabeth Grace Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Hatteras Landing / Teach's Lair marinas, (252) 216-5733
Pick up bait near Albemarle Sound
- Frog Island Marinamarina, Elizabeth City, 6 miles
- Alligator River Marinamarina, Columbia, 10 miles
- Cypress Cove Marina Incmarina, Columbia, 14 miles
Out from Albemarle Sound
Where to sleep near Albemarle Sound
- Columbia12 miles
- Grandy17 miles
- Elizabeth City19 miles
- Camden20 miles
Sounds around Albemarle Sound
- Kitty Hawk Bay21 miles east
- Buzzard Bay23 miles east
- Currituck Sound23 miles northeast
- Croatan Sound25 miles southeast
Albemarle Sound, county by county
- Camden County
- Dare County
- Pasquotank County
- Perquimans County
- Tyrrell County
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Species around Albemarle Sound, pictured
Photo: Geeklikepi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: タウナギ, CC0 1.0
Photo: NOAA's Fisheries Collection; Collection of Brandi Noble, Public domain
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Photo: Carvalho-Souza, Gómez & González-Ortegón (2024), CC BY 4.0
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Questions people send about Albemarle Sound
Which county borders Albemarle Sound?
In Camden County plus 4 other counties, coastal fishing waters at its center.
Do I need a CRFL on Albemarle Sound?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Can I keep a red drum from Albemarle Sound?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
How many flounder can I keep on Albemarle Sound?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
Is Albemarle Sound in the Albemarle striped bass area?
Albemarle Sound Management Area applies. Season closed; no harvest allowed
Which ramp reaches Albemarle Sound?
2 coastal launches; the nearest is Fort Landing.
Is there pier fishing close to Albemarle Sound?
The nearest pier is over 12 miles off.
Can I book a guide for Albemarle Sound?
County listings show 79 charters and guides.
Where do I stock up for Albemarle Sound?
Frog Island Marina, roughly 6 miles from the water.
Add Albemarle Sound to the plans
Limits change by proclamation; check before you go.