North Carolina Mountain Trout Classes and Seasons
Public Mountain Trout Waters classes, 2026-27 seasons, sign colors, creel and size limits, bait definitions and game land rules from NCWRC.
Photo of Falcon: gerrydincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Seasons
2026-27 trout seasons
- Open Aug. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 and 7 a.m. April 3, 2027 – July 31, 2027; closed March 1 – April 2, 2027 (no fishing) except listed no-closed-season watershatchery supported
- Harvest Aug. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026; catch-and-release artificial single-hook only Oct. 1, 2026 – June 4, 2027; youth-only 6 a.m. – noon June 5, 2027; then Hatchery Supported rules through July 31, 2027delayed harvest
- Linville River and tributaries within Linville Gorge Wilderness Area; Bear Creek Lake, Buckeye Creek Reservoir, Calderwood Reservoir, Cedar Cliff Lake, Cheoah Reservoir, Cliffside Lake, Cullowhee Dam Impoundment (S.R. 1731 bridge to Cullowhee Dam), Tanassee Creek Lake, Queens Creek Lake, Wolf Lakeno closed season hatchery waters
NCWRC general mountain trout regulations, checked October 2026.
Classes
Limits by trout class
| Class | Daily creel | Size | Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchery Supported Trout Waters | 7 a day | no size limit | No size limit or bait restriction; creel limit 7 trout per day. Marked with green-and-white signs. |
| Delayed Harvest Trout Waters | 7 a day | no size limit | Oct. 1 – first Saturday in June: artificial lures with one single hook only, no natural bait possessed, no trout possessed. Otherwise Hatchery Supported rules (7 trout, no size limit). Marked with black-and-white signs. |
| Wild Trout Waters | 4 a day | 7 in minimum | Minimum length 7 inches, creel limit 4 trout per day; artificial lures with one single hook only, natural bait may not be possessed. All Public Mountain Trout Waters on game lands are Wild Trout Waters unless classified |
| Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters | none may be kept | no size limit | No trout may be possessed; artificial flies and lures with one single hook only; natural bait may not be possessed. Marked with red-and-yellow signs. |
| Special Regulation Trout Waters: Catawba River (Muddy Creek to Morganton water i | 2 a day | 14 in minimum | 14-inch minimum, creel limit 2 trout per day, no bait restrictions. Marked with white-and-red signs. |
| Special Regulation Trout Waters: Apalachia Reservoir | 3 a day | 1 over 14 in | No minimum size limit, but only one trout may be greater than 14 inches; creel 3; no bait restrictions. |
| Undesignated trout waters | 7 a day | no size limit | No size limit or bait restrictions; creel limit seven trout per day. |
Definitions
Lures, flies and bait
- A fishing lure that neither contains nor has been treated with any substance that attracts fish by the sense of taste or smell.artificial lure
- One single hook dressed with feathers, hair, thread, tinsel, rubber, or any similar material to which no additional hook, spinner, spoon or similar device is added.artificial fly
- Any living or dead organism (plant or animal), or parts thereof, or prepared substances designed to attract fish by the sense of taste or smell.natural bait
- A fish hook with only one point.single hook
- Fishing in Public Mountain Trout Waters is limited to hook and line only.rule
- It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from Public Mountain Trout Waters.rule
- Dropper flies may be used when fishing any Public Mountain Trout Waters.rule
- Non-trout species may be harvested from Delayed Harvest waters during the catch-and-release trout season under applicable size and creel limits.rule
Pictures
North Carolina waters, pictured
Photo: Mark Fickett, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Gerry D, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Answers
North Carolina Mountain Trout Classes and Seasons questions
When does Hatchery Supported trout season close?
March 1 to 7 a.m. April 3, 2027, except listed no-closed-season waters.
What is the creel on Wild Trout Waters?
4 trout a day, 7-inch minimum, single-hook artificial lures only.
Can I keep trout on Delayed Harvest water in October?
No; October 1 to the first Saturday in June is catch and release with single-hook artificial lures.
What do the sign colors mean?
Green and white for Hatchery Supported, black and white for Delayed Harvest, blue and yellow for Wild, red and yellow for Catch and Release.
Do I need a special trout license?
No; the inland license covers trout waters. The 3-day Mountain Heritage license covers only those waters.
Can I use natural bait on Wild Trout Waters?
No; natural bait may not be possessed there.
Is there a youth day on Delayed Harvest waters?
Yes, a youth-only morning in early June before harvest opens to everyone.
What is the limit on undesignated trout waters?
7 trout a day with no size limit or bait restriction.
More
Other North Carolina limits pages
- Inland Waters LimitsNCWRC limits for inland waters
- Coastal and Joint Waters LimitsNCDMF and NCWRC limits for coastal and joint waters
- Striped Bass Management AreasAtlantic Ocean, Albemarle, Roanoke and Central Southern areas
- License and feeswho needs one, prices