North Carolina sounds and bays

Juniper Bay Fishing

Hyde County, coastal fishing waters.

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Photo of Lake Mattamuskeet: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain

North Carolina coast

Angling Juniper Bay

You will find Juniper Bay, a bay, in Hyde County. Roughly 3.2 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 Central Southern Management Area.

Close by sit 1 fishing pier, 4 coastal launches and 1 DCM access site.

1piers within 12 mi
4launches within 10 mi
3reefs within 25 mi
Coastalfishing waters
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Map

Juniper Bay plotted out

NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.

From shore

Bank access, Juniper Bay

Piers ringing Juniper Bay

  • Bell Island Piersound/river access pier, 9 miles

Coastal access sites near Juniper Bay

  • Swan Quarter Community Park, Swan Quarter20 parking, estuarine

1 NC DCM access sites lie within 8 miles; DCM records parking and restrooms but no fishing field.

NCDMF pier list and NC DCM Beach and Waterfront Access sites.

Launches

Ramps by Juniper Bay

  • Hydeland Canal2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, 2 docks, joint waters, 4 miles
  • Kelly N Davis3 lanes, 38 trailer spaces, 4 docks, coastal waters, 5 miles
  • Unnamed slipway (Hyde County)boat ramp, joint waters, 7 miles
  • Outfall Canal1 lane, 1 trailer spaces, 1 dock, closed temporarily, joint waters, 8 miles

NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.

Reefs

NCDMF artificial reefs off Juniper Bay

ReefDepth (ft)MaterialsBuiltDistance
AR-29315Reef Ball (1)2023 to 202314 miles
AR-292 Quilley Point15Tires (1)1985 to 198519 miles
AR-298 Ocracoke15Natural Material (69), Concrete (18), Reef Ball (4), Vessel (3)1986 to 202420 miles

NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.

Limits

What you may keep from Juniper Bay

Rows for coastal and joint waters and the Central Southern Management Area.

SpeciesDaily creelSizeSeason
Red drum1 a day18-27 inYear-round
Flounder (all species)1 a day15 in minimumSept. 1-14, 2026
Spotted seatrout3 a day14-20 in, plus 1 over 26 inOpen (reopened July 1, 2026)
Weakfish1 a day12 in minimumopen all year unless closed by proclamation
Black drum10 a day14-25 in, plus 1 over 25 inopen all year unless closed by proclamation
Sheepshead5 a day14 in minimumopen all year unless closed by proclamation
Striped bass (Central Southern Management Area)none may be keptno size limitopen all year unless closed by proclamation
Bluefish5 a dayno size limitopen all year unless closed by proclamation
Spanish mackerel15 a day12 in minimumopen all year unless closed by proclamation
Cobia1 a day36 in minimumMay 1 – Dec. 31, 2026
Spot3 a day14-20 in, plus 1 over 26 inOpen (reopened July 1, 2026)
Atlantic croaker50 a dayno size limitopen all year unless closed by proclamation
Blue crab (recreational)50 a dayno size limitopen all year unless closed by proclamation

NCDMF recreational size and bag limits and 2026 proclamations, checked October 2026. Coastal and joint limits.

Local help

Hired help on Juniper Bay

Pick up bait near Juniper Bay

  • Mayo's Commercial Fishing Supplybait and tackle shop, Scranton, 13 miles
Nearby

Out from Juniper Bay

Where to sleep near Juniper Bay

  • Swan Quarter5 miles
  • Engelhard17 miles

Sounds around Juniper Bay

Juniper Bay, county by county

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Fish ID

Species around Juniper Bay, pictured

Spotted seatrout, North Carolina
Spotted seatrout
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Black drum, North Carolina
Black drum
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Sheepshead, North Carolina
Sheepshead
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Cobia, North Carolina
Cobia
Photo: Jorge Alarcon or Dr. Daniel Benetti, Public domain
Answers

Questions people send about Juniper Bay

Which county borders Juniper Bay?

In Hyde County, coastal fishing waters at its center.

Do I need a CRFL on Juniper Bay?

Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).

Can I keep a red drum from Juniper Bay?

Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.

How many flounder can I keep on Juniper Bay?

Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.

Is Juniper Bay in the Albemarle striped bass area?

Central Southern Management Area applies. Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected

Which ramp reaches Juniper Bay?

4 coastal launches; the nearest is Hydeland Canal.

Is there pier fishing close to Juniper Bay?

1 pier within 12 miles; try Bell Island Pier.

Can I book a guide for Juniper Bay?

None in the county listings.

Where do I stock up for Juniper Bay?

Mayo's Commercial Fishing Supply, roughly 13 miles from the water.

Add Juniper Bay to the plans

Limits change by proclamation; check before you go.