Waccamaw River Fishing
Columbus County, Brunswick County and Bladen County.
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Angling the Waccamaw River
NCWRC and USGS maps carry the Waccamaw River, a river, through Columbus County, Brunswick County and Bladen County. About 60 miles are mapped in-state. From the mapped midpoint, Carolina Shores is about 19 miles away.
Readings come from 1 active gauge. 1 launch give boat access.
The Waccamaw River right now
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Waccamaw River At Freeland, Nc | 3 cfs, 2.13 ft gage height | Nov 9 1:15 am Not updated since Nov 9, 2026. |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 8:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Ramps on the Waccamaw River
- Pireway2 lanes, 25 trailer spaces, 1 dock, Brunswick 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 tables name the Waccamaw River in these rules:
| 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 |
| 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.
Short drives from Waccamaw River
Tackle counters around Waccamaw River
- Sea Jscountry store with bait, Carolina Shores, 18 miles
- Calabash Marinamarina, Calabash, 19 miles
- Dave's Outpostcountry store with bait, Sunset Beach, 22 miles
- Ocean Isle Marinamarina, Ocean Isl Bch, 24 miles
- Island Tackle / Dana Sportsbait and tackle shop, Ocean Isle Beach, 25 miles
Home bases near Waccamaw River
- Carolina Shores19 miles
- Calabash19 miles
- Tabor City20 miles
- Sunset Beach22 miles
Rivers around the Waccamaw River
- Big Swamp41 miles
- Rice Creek51 miles
- Cape Fear River60 miles
- Black River63 miles
County pages tied to Waccamaw River
- Columbus County
- Brunswick County
- Bladen County
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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What to know about the Waccamaw River
Which county holds the Waccamaw River?
It crosses Columbus County, Brunswick County and Bladen County.
Is the Waccamaw River trout water?
NCWRC gives it no trout designation.
Does NCWRC stock the Waccamaw River?
Neither 2026 list names it.
Where can I see Waccamaw River flows?
There are 1 USGS gauge, listed above.
Is the Waccamaw River good for a kayak?
1 launch on file, led by Pireway.
What rules apply on the Waccamaw 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.
Must anglers on the Waccamaw River carry a license?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Which counter sells bait nearest the Waccamaw River?
The nearest listing is Sea Js, 18 miles off.
Which town makes a base on the Waccamaw River?
Carolina Shores, at about 19 miles.
Block out a day for the Waccamaw River
Flow and rules first, then the drive.