New River, Onslow County Fishing
Onslow County.
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Getting oriented on the New River, Onslow County
Anglers find the New River, Onslow County, a river, in Onslow County. Roughly 50 miles of channel are on the map. The nearest incorporated town is North Topsail Beach, about 7 miles from its midpoint. About 42% of the river is mapped as coastal or joint water.
Live numbers come from 1 active gauge. Put-ins on file: 2 launches.
USGS sites on the New River, Onslow County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| New River Near Gum Branch, Nc | 7 cfs, 1.85 ft gage height | Nov 14 6:45 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 7:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Ramps, New River, Onslow County
- Jacksonville Landing3 lanes, 66 trailer spaces, restrooms, 2 docks, Onslow County, inland waters
- Sneads Ferry2 lanes, 35 trailer spaces, 4 docks, Onslow County, coastal waters
NCWRC Boating Access Areas, USACE, USFS and OpenStreetMap; midpoint from the NCWRC trout layer or USGS NHDPlus lines.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Fishing water classes, New River, Onslow County
Mapped shares for the New River, Onslow County: 58% inland, 0% joint, 42% coastal. Ramps along it carry these designations: 1 coastal and 1 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 |
|---|---|
| Onslow | Inland Waters north and Coastal Waters south of a line beginning at a point on the west shore 34° 45.1654' N – 77° 26.1222' W; running easterly along the southern (21) side of the US Hwy 17 bridge to a point on the east shore 34° 45.2007' N – 77° 25.9790' W. |
Coastal and joint limits on the lower New River, Onslow County
| 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.
NCWRC limits on the New River, Onslow County
The table below holds every limit on the New River, Onslow County.
| 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.
Just around New River, Onslow County
Nearby impoundments to New River, Onslow County
- Surf City Community Center Pond14 miles
Bait counters nearest New River, Onslow County
- New River Marina, 129 Sail Waymarina, Sneads Ferry, under a mile
- Sneads Ferry Marinamarina, Onslow, 1 mile
- Swan Point Marinamarina, Sneads Ferry, 1 mile
- Courthouse Bay Marinamarina, Onslow, 1 mile
- Bayshore Marinamarina, Onslow, 1 mile
Towns encircling New River, Onslow County
- Sneads Ferryunder a mile
- North Topsail Beach7 miles
- Jacksonville12 miles
- Holly Ridge12 miles
Creeks close to the New River, Onslow County
- Bear Creek10 miles
- White Oak River19 miles
- Holly Shelter Creek25 miles
- Southwest Prong Slocum Creek30 miles
Counties that share New River, Onslow County
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Species around New River, Onslow County, pictured
Photo: Steve Hillebrand, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Mick Johnson, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC., Public domain
Questions people send about the New River, Onslow County
Through which towns does the New River, Onslow County pass?
NCWRC maps it in Onslow County.
Can I keep trout from the New River, Onslow County?
No; it carries no trout class.
Is the New River, Onslow County on the stocking schedule?
Not on the 2026 stocking lists.
What does the New River, Onslow County gauge read?
See the 1 USGS gauge on this page.
Is the New River, Onslow County open to boat launching?
2 launches, such as Sneads Ferry.
Are the statewide NCWRC limits in force on the New River, Onslow County?
The statewide table covers it.
Which North Carolina license do I need for the New River, Onslow County?
Joint waters accept either the inland license ($32 resident) or the Coastal Recreational Fishing License ($20 resident) from age 16.
Which tackle counter is nearest the New River, Onslow County?
New River Marina, roughly under a mile from the midpoint.
How far is the New River, Onslow County from town?
North Topsail Beach, about 7 miles from the midpoint.
Put the New River, Onslow County on this year’s list
Buy the license from Go Outdoors North Carolina before the trip.