Knotts Island Bay Fishing
Currituck County, joint fishing waters.
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Knotts Island Bay, sized up
In Currituck County, Knotts Island Bay forms a bay of the coast. Census water polygons carrying the name total about 5.3 square miles. The state rule map puts its center in joint fishing waters. The Albemarle Sound Management Area sets striped bass seasons here.
State and OSM layers show 1 fishing pier, 12 coastal launches and 4 DCM access sites nearby.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Bank and pier access on Knotts Island Bay
Piers a drive from Knotts Island Bay
- Mackey Island NWR Fishing Piersound/river access pier, 3 miles
DCM access sites near Knotts Island Bay
- Carova Beach Park, Currituck County13 parking, restrooms, estuarine
- Mackey Island NWR Fishing Pier, Currituck County8 parking, estuarine
- Charles Kuralt Trail Overlook, Currituck County7 parking, estuarine
- Mackey Island NWR Visitor Contact Station, Currituck County7 parking, restrooms, estuarine
DCM lists 4 public access points within 8 miles, without saying which allow fishing.
NCDMF pier list and NC DCM Beach and Waterfront Access sites.
Other ramps by Knotts Island Bay
- Brumley Road1 lane, 26 trailer spaces, 1 dock, joint waters, under a mile
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 1 mile
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 1 mile
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 2 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Creel limits, Knotts Island Bay
NCDMF rows, striped bass set by 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.
For-hire boats and bait at Knotts Island Bay
Guides working near Knotts Island Bay
- Backwater Adventuresinshore / sound charter, Powells Point, (252) 202-3112
Bait stores near Knotts Island Bay
- Corolla Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Corolla, 10 miles
- Currituck Sports Incsporting goods store, Barco, 10 miles
- Midway Marina & Motelmarina, Coinjock, 10 miles
- Corolla Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Corolla, 15 miles
- T W's Bait & Tackle, 815 Ocean Trlbait and tackle shop, Corolla, 15 miles
Neighbors of Knotts Island Bay on the map
Places to stay by Knotts Island Bay
- Coinjock11 miles
- Grandy18 miles
- Camden19 miles
Other bays by Knotts Island Bay
- Currituck Bay2 miles south
- Back Bay8 miles north
- Currituck Sound11 miles south
- Albemarle Sound33 miles south
Which counties Knotts Island Bay crosses
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Species to expect near Knotts Island Bay
Photo: fishesoftexas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC., Public domain
Photo: タウナギ, CC0 1.0
Photo: Carvalho-Souza, Gómez & González-Ortegón (2024), CC BY 4.0
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Knotts Island Bay in a few answers
What route leads to Knotts Island Bay?
Currituck County, which the rule map calls joint fishing waters.
Which license works on Knotts Island Bay?
Joint waters accept either the inland license ($32 resident) or the Coastal Recreational Fishing License ($20 resident) from age 16.
Is red drum open on Knotts Island Bay?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
When is flounder season on Knotts Island Bay?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
Is striped bass open on Knotts Island Bay?
Albemarle Sound Management Area applies. Season closed; no harvest allowed
Which ramp is nearest Knotts Island Bay?
Start at Brumley Road; there are 12 coastal launches.
Is there pier fishing at Knotts Island Bay?
1 pier, the closest Mackey Island NWR Fishing Pier.
Which captains take paid trips on Knotts Island Bay?
1 charter or guide list a county on it.
Which tackle counter is nearest Knotts Island Bay?
Try Corolla Bait and Tackle (10 miles).
Load the boat for Knotts Island Bay
Coastal and joint waters each have their license rules; read them first.