Lake Mattamuskeet Fishing
Hyde County, NCWRC District 1.
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Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain
Lake Mattamuskeet, sized up
The lake named Lake Mattamuskeet lies in Hyde County and belongs to Commission District 1. Belhaven is the nearest town on the Census list, roughly 27 miles off.
Expect largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, striped bass, bodie bass and white perch, going by NCWRC records. The access list shows 1 mapped launch, 1 of them Commission sites. The access areas belong to US Fish & Wildlife Service.
What NCWRC studies found on Lake Mattamuskeet
“Common Carp have been identified as a nuisance species at Lake Mattamuskeet because they manipulate habitat through grazing activity that actively resuspends sediment contributing to increasing turbidity and as a result, loss of SAV. North Carolina State University researchers have estimated carp biomass at Lake Mattamuskeet at 4.4 million pounds, equivalent to 110 pounds of carp per acre.”
“The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has conducted routine fall electrofishing surveys at Lake Mattamuskeet since 2013, to monitor the status of the Largemouth Bass population.”
“Since August 2017, the Largemouth Bass fishery at Lake Mattamuskeet has been managed by a minimum length limit of 16 inches and a daily creel limit of five bass, of which only one can be greater than 20 inches.”
Quoted from NCWRC fishing summary fact sheets for Lake Mattamuskeet (source). Checked October 2026.
Putting in on Lake Mattamuskeet
- Lake Mattamuskeet1 lane, 14 trailer spaces, 1 dock, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Launches within a drive of Lake Mattamuskeet
- EngelhardPamlico Sound, 9 miles east
- Gum Neck LandingAlligator River, 13 miles north
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE Wilmington District, USFS and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Lake elevation, Lake Mattamuskeet
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Mattamuskeet E Of Nc Hwy 94 Nr Fairfield, Nc | 1.63 ft lake elevation | Oct 12 3:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 3:38 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Lake Mattamuskeet species
NCWRC sources that name Lake Mattamuskeet give this species list. regulated: 5; named in the NCWRC profile: 1.
NCWRC 2026 stocking list, warm-water regulations, species profiles and state records.
NCWRC limits for Lake Mattamuskeet
On Lake Mattamuskeet, the listed rules below take the place of statewide limits.
| Species | Size limit | Daily creel |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 16-inch minimum, and only 1 may be greater than 20 inches | 5, including only 1 greater than 20 inches |
| Crappie (Black And White) | 10-inch minimum | 20 in combination |
| Striped Bass And Bodie Bass (Striped Bass Hybrid) | 18-inch minimum | 3 in combination |
| Species | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | No closed season |
| Crappie | 20 a day | 8 in minimum | No closed season |
| Sunfish | 30 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Striped and Bodie bass | 4 a day | 20 in minimum | No closed season |
| White bass | 10 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Walleye | 8 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Rock and Roanoke bass | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Blue, channel and flathead catfish | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Trout (undesignated waters) | 7 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
The I-95 and I-77 lines decide part of the table for Lake Mattamuskeet.
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations (eRegulations), checked October 2026. All North Carolina limits.
Lake Mattamuskeet beside nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Stocked 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mattamuskeet | 1 | |||
| Lake Phelps | 25 miles northwest | 0 | ||
| East Lake | 35 miles northeast | 1 | ||
| Grimesland Ponds | 58 miles west | 1 | ||
| Great Lake | 67 miles southwest | 1 | ||
| River Park North Ponds | 69 miles west | 1 |
Just around Lake Mattamuskeet
Nearby impoundments to Lake Mattamuskeet
- Lake Phelps25 miles northwest
- East Lake35 miles northeast
- Grimesland Ponds58 miles west
- Great Lake67 miles southwest
- River Park North Ponds69 miles west
Bait counters nearest Lake Mattamuskeet
- Mayo's Commercial Fishing Supplybait and tackle shop, Scranton, 17 miles
- Dowry Creek Marinamarina, Belhaven, 22 miles
Towns encircling Lake Mattamuskeet
- Engelhard8 miles
- Swan Quarter12 miles
- Belhaven27 miles
Counties that share Lake Mattamuskeet
- Hyde Countyseat: Swan Quarter
Reels and a lip grip from Piscifun
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Before a trip to Lake Mattamuskeet
How do I find Lake Mattamuskeet on a map?
The lake point falls in Hyde County, District 1, about 27 miles from Belhaven.
How large a water is Lake Mattamuskeet?
Its acreage is unpublished.
Which access area serves Lake Mattamuskeet?
1 launch on file, including Lake Mattamuskeet.
Does Lake Mattamuskeet hold bass?
largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, striped bass, bodie bass and white perch, from NCWRC sources.
Does NCWRC stock Lake Mattamuskeet?
NCWRC lists no stocking for it this year.
Are the statewide NCWRC limits in force on Lake Mattamuskeet?
Largemouth Bass: 16-inch minimum, and only 1 may be greater than 20 inches, 5, including only 1 greater than 20 inches; Crappie (Black And White): 10-inch minimum, 20 in combination.
Which North Carolina license do I need for Lake Mattamuskeet?
Inland license from 16: $32 resident.
Where can I check the level of Lake Mattamuskeet?
Check the USGS numbers above.
Who sells bait close to Lake Mattamuskeet?
Mayo's Commercial Fishing Supply, about 17 miles away.
Pack the truck for Lake Mattamuskeet
License costs and limits are one click away.