South River Fishing
Carteret County, coastal fishing waters.
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South River, sized up
In Carteret County, South River forms a river estuary of the coast. Census water polygons carrying the name total about 4 square miles. The state rule map puts its center in coastal fishing waters. The Central Southern Management Area sets striped bass seasons here.
State and OSM layers show 4 coastal launches nearby.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Other ramps by South River
- Oriental2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, 2 docks, joint waters, 9 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 10 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Pamlico County)boat ramp, joint waters, 10 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Pamlico County)boat ramp, joint waters, 10 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Structure off South River
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-396 Oriental | 15 | Reef Ball (4), Natural Material (3), Tires (3), Concrete (2) | 1973 to 2013 | 8 miles |
| AR-275 Billy Smith Reef | 55 | Concrete (3), Vessel (2), Reef Ball (2) | 1991 to 2007 | 18 miles |
| AR-380 Bogue Sound Reef | 15 | Reef Ball (2) | 2018 to 2021 | 21 miles |
| AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef | 49 | Concrete (17), Vessel (5), Unknown (4), Metal (2), Aircraft (2), Reef Ball (2), Other (1) | 1974 to 2008 | 22 miles |
| AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef | 50 | Concrete (25), Metal (2), Vessel (2) | 1986 to 2020 | 24 miles |
| AR-293 | 15 | Reef Ball (1) | 2023 to 2023 | 25 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
Ocean inlets near South River
- Unnamed breakwater (Oriental)breakwater, 9 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 12 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 12 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 12 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 12 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Atlantic)breakwater, 14 miles
USGS GNIS, NC DCM inlet hazard areas and OpenStreetMap.
Creel limits, South River
NCDMF rows, striped bass set 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.
For-hire boats and bait at South River
Guides working near South River
- A1a Fishingcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Morehead City, (252) 241-0210
- BreakDay Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Atlantic Beach, (252) 732-0990
- Cape Lookout Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), emerald isle, (252) 241-0210
- Captain Stacycoastal charter (trip type not stated), Atlantic Beach, (252) 648-6155
- Crystal Coast Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Beaufort, (202) 369-1063
- Crystal Coast Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Morehead City, (252) 808-7067
- Down East Guide Servicecoastal charter (trip type not stated), Morehead City, (252) 671-3474
- Reel Faith Fishing Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Morehead City, (919) 369-6403
Bait stores near South River
- Town Creek Marina, 114 Town Creek Drmarina, Beaufort, 5 miles
- Whittaker Pointe Marinamarina, Pamlico, 9 miles
- Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbormarina, Pamlico, 9 miles
- Salecraft Marinamarina, Oriental, 9 miles
- Oriental Marina & Innmarina, Oriental, 9 miles
- McCotter's Marinamarina, Oriental, 9 miles
Neighbors of South River on the map
Places to stay by South River
- Oriental9 miles
- Davis12 miles
- Atlantic13 miles
- Minnesott Beach15 miles
Other bays by South River
- Turnagain Bay5 miles northeast
- Long Bay7 miles east
- Nelson Bay11 miles southeast
- West Bay11 miles northeast
Which counties South River crosses
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Species to expect near South River
Photo: Geeklikepi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: fishesoftexas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jorge Alarcon or Dr. Daniel Benetti, Public domain
South River in a few answers
What route leads to South River?
Carteret County, which the rule map calls coastal fishing waters.
Which license works on South River?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Is red drum open on South River?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
When is flounder season on South River?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
Is striped bass open on South River?
Central Southern Management Area applies. Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected
Which ramp is nearest South River?
Start at Oriental; there are 4 coastal launches.
Is there pier fishing at South River?
None in the pier list nearby.
Which captains take paid trips on South River?
18 charters and guides list a county on it.
Which tackle counter is nearest South River?
Try Town Creek Marina (5 miles).
Load the boat for South River
Coastal and joint waters each have their license rules; read them first.