Courthouse Bay Fishing
Onslow County, coastal fishing waters.
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Getting oriented on Courthouse Bay
Courthouse Bay is a bay in Onslow County. About 0.2 square miles of Census water bear the name. NCDMF and NCWRC class the water at its center as coastal fishing waters. Striped bass fall under the Central Southern Management Area at this point.
Anglers can pick from 2 fishing piers, 12 coastal launches and 22 DCM access sites close to it.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Courthouse Bay without a boat
Pier access by Courthouse Bay
- Seaview Fishing Pierocean fishing pier, 6 miles
- Morris Landingsound/river access pier, 11 miles
Public shore access by Courthouse Bay
- Beach Access #3, North Topsail Beach30 parking, ocean
- Dolphin Shores (NTB BA-45), North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #1, North Topsail Beach30 parking, restrooms, ocean
- Beach Access #44, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #43, North Topsail Beach12 parking, ocean
- Beach Access #42, North Topsail Beach12 parking, ocean
- Ocean Bay Village (NTB BA-40), North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #41, North Topsail Beach20 parking, ocean
- Beach Access #40, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #39, North Topsail Beachocean
- Emerald Dunes, North Topsail Beachocean
- NTB BA-35, North Topsail Beachocean
Within 8 miles, 22 DCM access sites reach the water.
NCDMF pier list and NC DCM Beach and Waterfront Access sites.
Nearest put-ins to Courthouse Bay
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, under a mile
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, under a mile
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, under a mile
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Sneads Ferry2 lanes, 35 trailer spaces, 4 docks, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 4 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 4 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 4 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 4 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Built reefs around Courthouse Bay
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-398 New River | 15 | Concrete (9) | 2010 to 2010 | 5 miles |
| AR-381 | 16 miles | |||
| AR-355 New River Reef | 50 | Concrete (7), Metal (1) | 1986 to 1993 | 16 miles |
| AR-342 Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef | 49 | Concrete (10), Metal (1), Tires (1) | 1983 to 2007 | 19 miles |
| AR-360 Topsail Reef | 44 | Concrete (2), Reef Ball (1) | 1992 to 2023 | 21 miles |
| AR-340 J. Paul Tyndall Reef | 58 | Concrete (21), Fiberglass (2), Reef Ball (1), Metal (1) | 1986 to 2020 | 23 miles |
| AR-345 Swansboro Rotary Club Reef | 60 | Reef Ball (3), Concrete (3), Vessel (1), Metal (1) | 1986 to 2006 | 23 miles |
| AR-362 Tom Boyette Reef | 54 | Concrete (2), Metal (1) | 1986 to 2002 | 24 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
Where Courthouse Bay opens to the Atlantic
- New River Inletinlet, 5 miles
- Browns Inletinlet, 8 miles
- Bear Inletinlet, 11 miles
USGS GNIS, NC DCM inlet hazard areas and OpenStreetMap.
Harvest rules for Courthouse Bay
NCDMF rows for coastal and joint waters, striped bass by the Central Southern 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 (Central Southern 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.
Captains and shops for Courthouse Bay
Guides on Courthouse Bay
- Atlantic Blue Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Sneads Ferry, (252) 508-5576
- Charter Gladys Mcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Sneads Ferry, (910) 327-3865
- Dock Shocker Fishing Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Sneads Ferry, (910) 507-9679
- Friendly City Fishingcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Swansboro, (910) 330-4764
- Hot Pursuit Fishing Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Sneads Ferry, (910) 606-4661
- Joyful Noise Fishing Chartercoastal charter (trip type not stated), Jacksonville, (910) 358-9723
- Lotta Luck Fishingcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Swansboro, (252) 413-7674
- Nancy Lee Fishing Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Swansboro, (252) 354-3474
Where to buy bait by Courthouse Bay
- Courthouse Bay Marinamarina, Onslow, under a mile
- Sneads Ferry Marinamarina, Onslow, 2 miles
- Old Ferry Marinamarina, Sneads Ferry, 2 miles
- New River Marina, 129 Sail Waymarina, Sneads Ferry, 2 miles
- Swan Point Marinamarina, Sneads Ferry, 3 miles
- Bayshore Marinamarina, Onslow, 3 miles
In reach of Courthouse Bay
Towns nearest Courthouse Bay
- Sneads Ferry2 miles
- North Topsail Beach8 miles
- Jacksonville10 miles
- Holly Ridge13 miles
Tidal water by Courthouse Bay
- Stones Bay3 miles west
- Chadwick Bay4 miles south
- Browns Sound8 miles east
- Everett Bay9 miles southwest
Courthouse Bay county links
Reels and a lip grip from Piscifun
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Worth knowing about Courthouse Bay
What is the exact spot of Courthouse Bay?
Onslow County, in coastal fishing waters.
Which fishing license fits Courthouse Bay?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
How many red drum may I keep on Courthouse Bay?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
Can I keep flounder from Courthouse Bay?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
What striped bass area is Courthouse Bay in?
Central Southern Management Area applies. Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected
Which ramps reach Courthouse Bay?
12 coastal launches, closest Unnamed slipway (Onslow County).
Which pier sits closest to Courthouse Bay?
2 piers; Seaview Fishing Pier is closest.
Which captains run Courthouse Bay?
12 charters and guides are based in its counties.
Which counter sells bait nearest Courthouse Bay?
The nearest listing is Courthouse Bay Marina, under a mile off.
Spend time on Courthouse Bay
Check the striped bass area before you keep one.