Swanquarter Bay Fishing
Hyde County, coastal fishing waters.
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Angling Swanquarter Bay
You will find Swanquarter Bay, a bay, in Hyde County. Roughly 18.5 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, 3 coastal launches and 2 DCM access sites.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Bank access, Swanquarter Bay
Piers ringing Swanquarter Bay
- Bell Island Piersound/river access pier, 5 miles
Coastal access sites near Swanquarter Bay
- Swan Quarter Community Park, Swan Quarter20 parking, estuarine
- Bell Island Pier, Swan Quarter8 parking, estuarine
2 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.
Ramps by Swanquarter Bay
- Kelly N Davis3 lanes, 38 trailer spaces, 4 docks, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Rose Bay2 lanes, 25 trailer spaces, 1 dock, coastal waters, 8 miles
- Hydeland Canal2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, 2 docks, joint waters, 8 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
NCDMF artificial reefs off Swanquarter Bay
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-293 | 15 | Reef Ball (1) | 2023 to 2023 | 10 miles |
| AR-292 Quilley Point | 15 | Tires (1) | 1985 to 1985 | 15 miles |
| AR-298 Ocracoke | 15 | Natural Material (69), Concrete (18), Reef Ball (4), Vessel (3) | 1986 to 2024 | 24 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
What you may keep from Swanquarter Bay
Rows for coastal and joint waters and 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.
Hired help on Swanquarter Bay
Pick up bait near Swanquarter Bay
- Mayo's Commercial Fishing Supplybait and tackle shop, Scranton, 9 miles
Out from Swanquarter Bay
Where to sleep near Swanquarter Bay
- Swan Quarter3 miles
- Belhaven20 miles
Sounds around Swanquarter Bay
- Juniper Bay5 miles east
- Rose Bay5 miles northwest
- Jones Bay15 miles southwest
- Wysocking Bay16 miles east
Swanquarter Bay, county by county
Piscifun reels and a scale grip
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Species around Swanquarter Bay, pictured
Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC, Public domain
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: タウナギ, CC0 1.0
Photo: Carvalho-Souza, Gómez & González-Ortegón (2024), CC BY 4.0
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Questions people send about Swanquarter Bay
Which county borders Swanquarter Bay?
In Hyde County, coastal fishing waters at its center.
Do I need a CRFL on Swanquarter Bay?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Can I keep a red drum from Swanquarter Bay?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
How many flounder can I keep on Swanquarter Bay?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
Is Swanquarter 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 Swanquarter Bay?
3 coastal launches; the nearest is Kelly N Davis.
Is there pier fishing close to Swanquarter Bay?
1 pier within 12 miles; try Bell Island Pier.
Can I book a guide for Swanquarter Bay?
None in the county listings.
Where do I stock up for Swanquarter Bay?
Mayo's Commercial Fishing Supply, roughly 9 miles from the water.
Add Swanquarter Bay to the plans
Limits change by proclamation; check before you go.