Black River Fishing
Sampson County, Pender County and Bladen County.
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The Black River, summed up
In Sampson County, Pender County and Bladen County, the Black River runs as a river. The mapped channel covers close to 62 miles. Census places put Atkinson nearest, around 8 miles. Coastal and joint waters take in about 7% of the line.
USGS runs 1 active gauge on it. Boaters and paddlers have 2 launches.
River readings, Black River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Tomahawk, Nc | 58 cfs, 1.67 ft gage height | Nov 14 7:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 7:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Getting onto the Black River
- Ivanhoe1 lane, 10 trailer spaces, Sampson County, inland waters
- Hunts Bluff1 lane, 15 trailer spaces, Bladen County, inland waters
NCWRC Boating Access Areas, USACE, USFS and OpenStreetMap; midpoint from the NCWRC trout layer or USGS NHDPlus lines.
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NCWRC maps the Black River at about 93% inland, 7% joint, 0% coastal. Launch designations on file: 2 inland.
The Wildlife Resources Commission has jurisdiction in inland waters, and the Division of Marine Fisheries has jurisdiction (except that pertaining to inland game fishes) in coastal waters. Both agencies have licensing and regulatory authority in joint waters.
| County | Boundary in 15A NCAC 03Q .0202 |
|---|---|
| Pender | Inland Waters northeast and Joint Waters southwest of a line beginning at a point on the north shore 34° 22.0783' N – 78° 04.4123' W; running southeasterly to a point on the south shore 34° 21.9950' N – 78° 04.2864' W. |
Tidal water limits on the Black River
| 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 |
NCWRC CoastJointWatersNC polygons, 15A NCAC 03Q .0202 and NCDMF proclamations, checked October 2026.
Harvest rules for the Black River
Nothing beyond statewide limits is listed for the Black River.
| 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 |
| 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 |
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations. All North Carolina limits.
The area around Black River
Other reservoirs by Black River
- Boney Mill Pond18 miles
Counters a drive from Black River
- White Lake Marinamarina, Elizabethtown, 14 miles
- Brown Fish & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Riegelwood, 19 miles
- Hampstead Marina Inc, 805 Robinwood Stmarina, Burgaw, 20 miles
- Lee's Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cape Fear, 25 miles
Towns within a drive of Black River
- Atkinson8 miles
- Harrells8 miles
- White Lake13 miles
- Garland14 miles
More streams near the Black River
- South River11 miles
- Cape Fear River25 miles
- Holly Shelter Creek26 miles
- Northeast Cape Fear River27 miles
Counties that hold Black River
- Sampson County
- Pender County
- Bladen County
Piscifun reels for this water
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Common catches near Black River
Photo: Geeklikepi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC, Public domain
Photo: Attackgirl (talk) (Uploads), Public domain
Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC., Public domain
Quick facts on the Black River
Which counties does the Black River flow through?
Counties: Sampson County, Pender County and Bladen County.
What trout class is the Black River?
Not designated for trout.
What does NCWRC put in the Black River?
No stocking is planned.
Does USGS measure the Black River?
Readings from 1 USGS gauge are shown above.
How many launches does the Black River have?
2 launches on the map, Hunts Bluff among them.
Do tackle restrictions apply on the Black River?
No special rule; statewide rows apply.
Which license works on the Black River?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Which tackle counter sits closest to the Black River?
White Lake Marina sits about 14 miles away.
What town sits near the Black River?
The closest town is Atkinson (8 miles).
Make for the Black River
Check the class rules and the gauge before the drive.