Swift Creek Fishing
Craven County and Pitt County.
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The Swift Creek through an angler’s eyes
The Swift Creek threads Craven County and Pitt County as a creek. Its mapped line inside the state runs about 46 miles. Bridgeton lies closest, roughly 6 miles away.
The stream has 1 active gauge. There are 1 launch along it.
Current on the Swift Creek
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Swift Creek At Hwy 43 Nr Streets Ferry, Nc | 285 cfs, 1.84 ft gage height | Jun 29 11:45 pm Not updated since Jun 29, 2008. |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 7:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Boating access on the Swift Creek
- Cool Springs1 lane, 13 trailer spaces, 1 dock, Craven 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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On the class map the Swift Creek runs 100% inland, 0% joint and 0% coastal. The access areas are classed 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 |
|---|---|
| Craven | Inland Waters north and Joint Waters south of a line beginning at a point on the west shore 35° 11.5972' N – 77° 06.0562' W; running easterly to a point on the east shore 35° 11.5816' N – 77° 05.9861' W. |
NCWRC CoastJointWatersNC polygons, 15A NCAC 03Q .0202 and NCDMF proclamations, checked October 2026.
What you may keep from the Swift Creek
No NCWRC rule names the Swift Creek; statewide inland limits apply.
| 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 Swift Creek on the map
Lakes close to Swift Creek
- Brocks Mill Pond18 miles
- Great Lake23 miles
Bait stores near Swift Creek
- Uncle Sam's Wormsbait and tackle shop, New Bern, 5 miles
- Bridgeton Harbor Marinamarina, Craven, 6 miles
- Twin Rivers Outdoorbait and tackle shop, Bridgeton, 6 miles
- New Bern Grand Marina Yc Incmarina, New Bern, 7 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors New Bernsporting goods store, New Bern, 7 miles
Places to stay by Swift Creek
- Bridgeton6 miles
- New Bern7 miles
- Trent Woods8 miles
- Vanceboro9 miles
Next rivers over from the Swift Creek
- Brice Creek9 miles
- Upper Broad Creek12 miles
- Blounts Creek17 miles
- Trent River20 miles
Which counties Swift Creek crosses
Piscifun reels for this water
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Before a trip to the Swift Creek
What part of North Carolina holds the Swift Creek?
Look in Craven County and Pitt County.
Which trout rules cover the Swift Creek?
It is not Public Mountain Trout Water.
When do trout go into the Swift Creek?
No 2026 stocking is scheduled.
Is a USGS station posted on the Swift Creek?
USGS runs 1 USGS gauge; the table is above.
Which put-ins reach the Swift Creek?
Access records list 1 launch; Cool Springs is one.
What are the creel limits on the Swift Creek?
Nothing beyond statewide limits.
What license fee applies on the Swift Creek?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Who sells bait close to the Swift Creek?
Uncle Sam's Worms, about 5 miles away.
Where do I find lodging by the Swift Creek?
Bridgeton is nearest, around 6 miles.
Spend time on the Swift Creek
Check the class and the flow before you drive.