Cape Fear River Fishing
Bladen County plus 7 other counties.
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The Cape Fear River through an angler’s eyes
The Cape Fear River threads Bladen County plus 7 other counties as a river. Its mapped line inside the state runs about 188 miles. Navassa lies closest, roughly 3 miles away. About 30% of its line lies in coastal or joint waters, where NCDMF rules also apply.
The stream has 4 active gauges. There are 10 launches along it.
Current on the Cape Fear River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear River At Lillington, Nc | 276 cfs, 1.46 ft gage height | Nov 14 7:15 am |
| Cape Fear River At Fayetteville, Nc | 421 cfs, 9.45 ft gage height | Nov 14 8:00 am |
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel, Nc | 583 cfs, 1.02 ft gage height | Nov 14 8:00 am |
| Cape Fear R At Lock 1 Nr Kelly, Nc | 570 cfs, 14.65 ft gage height | Nov 14 7:45 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 8:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Boating access on the Cape Fear River
- Avents Ferry Bridge1 lane, 25 trailer spaces, 1 dock, Chatham County, inland waters
- Lillington1 lane, 15 trailer spaces, Harnett County, inland waters
- Fayetteville1 lane, 16 trailer spaces, 1 dock, Cumberland County, inland waters
- William O Huske Lock And Dam1 lane, 8 trailer spaces, Bladen County, inland waters
- Tar Heel1 lane, 20 trailer spaces, Bladen County, inland waters
- Tory Hole1 lane, 17 trailer spaces, 1 dock, Bladen County, inland waters
- Lock And Dam #21 lane, 10 trailer spaces, 1 dock, Bladen County, inland waters
- Elwells Ferry1 lane, 20 trailer spaces, 1 dock, Bladen County, inland waters
- Lock And Dam #11 lane, 9 trailer spaces, Bladen County, joint waters
- Dram Tree Park2 lanes, 36 trailer spaces, 2 docks, New Hanover County, joint waters
NCWRC Boating Access Areas, USACE, USFS and OpenStreetMap; midpoint from the NCWRC trout layer or USGS NHDPlus lines.
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On the class map the Cape Fear River runs 70% inland, 17% joint and 13% coastal. The access areas are classed 8 inland and 2 joint.
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 |
|---|---|
| Bladen | Inland Waters north and Joint Waters south of a line beginning at a point on the west shore 34° 24.2628' N – 78° 17.6390' W; running northeasterly along the Lock and Dam # 1 to a point on the east shore 34° 24.2958' N – 78° 17.5634' W. |
| Columbus | All waters within this waterbody are designated as Joint. |
| New Hanover | Joint Waters north and Coastal Waters south of a line beginning at a point on the western side 34° 13.6953' N – 77° 57.2396' W; running southeasterly along the southern side of US 17-74-76 bridge to a point on the eastern side 34° 13.6214' N 77° 57.0341' W. |
| Pender | All waters within this waterbody are designated as Joint. |
NCDMF limits on the tidal Cape Fear 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.
What you may keep from the Cape Fear River
Special limits for the Cape Fear River:
| Species | Size limit | Daily creel |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie (Black And White) | 8-inch minimum | 20 in combination |
| Sunfish (Except Crappie, Rock Bass, & Roanoke Bass) | None | 30 in combination, including no more than 12 redbreast sunfish |
| Striped Bass And Bodie Bass (Striped Bass Hybrid) | No striped bass may be possessed. | No striped bass may be possessed. |
| Striped Bass And Bodie Bass (Striped Bass Hybrid) | Established by Division of Marine Fisheries | Established by Division of Marine Fisheries |
| Shad (American And Hickory) | None | 10 in combination, including no more than 5 American Shad |
| 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.
Neighbors of Cape Fear River on the map
Lakes close to Cape Fear River
- Lake Sutton1 mile
Bait stores near Cape Fear River
- Lee's Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cape Fear, under a mile
- Roy's Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Wilmington, 3 miles
- Cape Fear Marinamarina, Wilmington, 6 miles
- Port City Marinamarina, Wilmington, 6 miles
- County Line Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Castle Hayne, 7 miles
Guides working near Cape Fear River
- Cape Fear Charter Cocoastal charter (trip type not stated), Southport, (910) 214-1504
- Cape Fear Charters & Guide Servicecoastal charter (trip type not stated), Wilmington, (910) 620-1683
- Cape Fear Guidecoastal charter (trip type not stated), Carolina Beach, (910) 619-0928
Places to stay by Cape Fear River
- Navassa3 miles
- Belville7 miles
- Leland8 miles
- Northwest8 miles
Next rivers over from the Cape Fear River
- Northeast Cape Fear River7 miles
- Rice Creek13 miles
- Holly Shelter Creek24 miles
- Black River25 miles
Which counties Cape Fear River crosses
- Bladen County
- Cumberland County
- Harnett County
- Brunswick County
- New Hanover County
- Pender County
- Lee County
- Columbus County
Four Piscifun picks
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Before a trip to the Cape Fear River
What part of North Carolina holds the Cape Fear River?
Look in Bladen County plus 7 other counties.
Which trout rules cover the Cape Fear River?
It is not Public Mountain Trout Water.
When do trout go into the Cape Fear River?
No 2026 stocking is scheduled.
Is a USGS station posted on the Cape Fear River?
USGS runs 4 USGS gauges; the table is above.
Which put-ins reach the Cape Fear River?
Access records list 10 launches; Fayetteville is one.
What are the creel limits on the Cape Fear River?
Crappie (Black And White): 8-inch minimum, 20 in combination; Sunfish (Except Crappie, Rock Bass, & Roanoke Bass): None, 30 in combination, including no more than 12 redbreast sunfish.
What license fee applies on the Cape Fear River?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Who sells bait close to the Cape Fear River?
Lee's Tackle, about under a mile away.
Where do I find lodging by the Cape Fear River?
Navassa is nearest, around 3 miles.
Spend time on the Cape Fear River
Check the class and the flow before you drive.