Fishing in Wayne County, North Carolina
Seat: Goldsboro. NCWRC District 3.
- 0lakes
- 7launches
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Wayne County fishing, sized up
NCWRC places Wayne County in District 3, and Goldsboro is the county seat. By the Census, Wayne County has 554 square miles on land and 3.8 on water.
Mapped launches number 7 launches: 5 inland and 2 coastal or joint. Coastal Wayne County adds 0 fishing piers, 0 public access sites and 0 reefs.
Lakes, ramps and piers in Wayne County
NCWRC access areas, USACE, USFS, OpenStreetMap and NC DCM, checked October 2026.
Lake pages, Wayne County
Wayne County has no lake page of its own, so here are the nearest to Goldsboro.
- Neuseway Nature Park Ponds23 miles east of Goldsboro
- Buckhorn Lake25 miles northwest of Goldsboro
- Toisnot Reservoir26 miles north of Goldsboro
- Tar River Reservoir35 miles north of Goldsboro
- River Park North Ponds38 miles northeast of Goldsboro
Rivers and creeks in Wayne County
- Neuse Riverriver, 12 launches
- Northeast Cape Fear Riverriver, 6 launches
How Wayne County rivers are running
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Neuse River Near Goldsboro, Nc | 279 cfs, 2.57 ft gage height | Nov 14 7:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 8:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Boating access in Wayne County
Reservoir and river ramps, Wayne County (5)
- Coxs FerryNeuse River, 1 lane, 10 trailer spaces, 1 dock
- GoldsboroNeuse River, 1 lane, 25 trailer spaces, 1 dock
- Prices LandingNeuse River, 1 lane, 20 trailer spaces
- Seven SpringsNeuse River, 1 lane, 15 trailer spaces
- Stevens MillNeuse River, 1 lane, 25 trailer spaces
Salt and brackish access in Wayne County (2)
- Cliffs of the Neusse Canoe Launch, coastal waters, paddle access
- Unnamed slipway (Wayne County), coastal waters, boat ramp
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE, USFS and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Sound and surf in Wayne County
Wayne County coastal limits
| 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 |
NCDMF piers and reefs, NC DCM access sites and NCDMF limits.
Where Wayne County anglers find stocked fish
| Lake | Distance from Goldsboro | 2026 stocking |
|---|---|---|
| Rhodes Pond | 40 miles | 500 2-4 in largemouth bass and 5,000 2-4 in bluegill |
| Etheridge Pond | 42 miles | 1,500 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Newbold Pond | 43 miles | 1,500 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Indian Lake | 44 miles | 2,700 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Lake Wheeler | 47 miles | 3,200 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Bass Lake | 50 miles | 4,500 8-12 in channel catfish |
NCWRC 2026 stocking lists.
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Bait and charters in Wayne County
Tackle counters in Wayne County
- Coor's Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Goldsboro
- Goodson Bamboo Fly Rodsfly shop, Fremont
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Goldsborosporting goods store, Goldsboro
The area around Wayne County
Towns across Wayne County
- Goldsboropop. 33,657
- Mount Olivepop. 4,198
- Fremontpop. 1,196
- Walnut Creekpop. 1,084
- Pikevillepop. 712
- Eurekapop. 214
- Seven Springspop. 55
Counties bordering Wayne County
- Greene County20 miles northeast
- Lenoir County22 miles east
- Johnston County23 miles northwest
- Wilson County24 miles north
Common catches near Wayne County
Photo: Steve Hillebrand, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
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: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Quick facts for Wayne County
What launch count does Wayne County have?
7 launches, with 5 inland and 2 on tidal water.
Which lake in Wayne County spans the most acres?
None inside the county; Neuseway Nature Park Ponds is nearest.
Does Wayne County have fishing piers?
Yes: 0 fishing piers, 0 DCM access sites.
Which state agency runs fishing in Wayne County?
NCWRC District 3; NCDMF also manages its coastal and joint waters.
Where do I get supplies in Wayne County?
3 listings, including Coor's Bait and Tackle.
Are captains based in Wayne County?
No guide is listed here.
Does NCWRC stock fish in Wayne County?
Not this year.
Where are the Wayne County offices?
Goldsboro is the seat.
Which fishing license does Wayne County call for?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident). Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Map out a trip in Wayne County
Each listed spot has a directions link.