Striped bass across North Carolina
North Carolina rules, records and waters for striped bass.
- 4 a daydaily creel
- 66 lbsrecord
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North Carolina striped bass at a glance
In North Carolina, Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) counts as a freshwater and saltwater sport fish. The NCWRC row for impounded inland waters and their tributaries except listed waters allows 4 a day, 20 in minimum.
In 2012, Hiwassee Reservoir produced the record of 66 lbs. NCWRC sources name it on 21 lakes and 8 streams. Stocking for 2026: 1,234,500 fish. NCDMF citation: No award given for this species.
For the striped bass herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 The NCWRC profile of striped bass
“The striped bass is a silver-white fish with seven to eight horizontal black stripes along its sides. Its back is often greenish-blue and its underside white. Its large silver scales shine when held in the sunlight. The striped bass has two separate fins, known as dorsal fins, along its back. The front dorsal fin has a series of nine spines, whereas the second dorsal fin has one spine with a series of soft fin rays. There are two spines on the gill cover and two narrow tooth patches on the tongue. Most adult striped bass are 1 to 3 feet long and weigh 2 to 20 pounds.”
“Striped bass are anadromous fish, meaning they spend most of their lives living in saltwater but migrate into freshwater rivers to spawn. The striped bass prefers to spawn among the rocky rapids near the “fall line” where rivers make the transition from the hilly piedmont to the relatively flat coastal plain. The Roanoke River is the major striped bass spawning river in North Carolina. Each spring, adult striped bass swim from the Atlantic Ocean and Albemarle Sound into the Roanoke River to spawn, about 130 miles from the sound. Most striped bass spawning begins when the water temperature reaches 62ºF. As many as 20 male stripers surround a single female, releasing milt to fertilize the eggs released by the female. Spawning events occur near the surface and are often called rock fights; a large group of striped bass, which are also known as rock or rockfish, splashing around can create a”
- Fishing tipsLive and cut baits, such as gizzard shad, threadfin shad and hickory shad, are popular in coastal rivers. Bucktail jigs in white and yellow, spoons and rattling crankbaits are also effective. Large flies are popular among anglers during the spring in the Roanoke River. Stripers move in schools, and
- Where to fishThe Roanoke River striped bass run occurs from March through May and is the most popular native striped bass fishery in the state. Anglers can also catch stripers in other coastal rivers during this time of year. Striped bass fisheries are actively managed in 13 reservoirs throughout the Piedmont an
- AbundanceCoastal rivers during spring spawning runs, and stocked in reservoirs throughout NC.
- SizeStriped bass are typically 18 to 24 inches long in estuarine waters and between 30 and 40 inches long in ocean waters.
- HabitatStriped bass are distributed along the Atlantic Coast from St. Lawrence River, Canada, to St. Johns River, Fla. They are anadromous and therefore found in both freshwater and saltwater, often around piers, jetties, surf troughs, rips, flats and rocks.
- DietStriped bass are carnivorous opportunistic predators that feed heavily on menhaden, anchovies, flounder, weakfish, herrings and many kinds of invertebrates.
- Fishing tipsFishermen catch striped bass by trolling, casting or jigging with artificial baits or floating or bottom fishing with natural baits. They also surf fish with spoons or heavy lures. Anglers land more large striped bass in North Carolina during the winter than in any other state.
- Also calledrockfish, rock, striper
- Confused withhybrid striped/white bass
Quoted from the NCWRC species profile, checked October 2026.
striped bass creel and size rules
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | Impounded inland waters and their tributaries except listed waters | 4 a day | 20 in minimum | No closed season |
| NCWRC | Roanoke River Striped Bass Management Area (Roanoke, Cashie, Eastmost and Middle rivers from Roanoke Rapids Da | 1 a day | 18 to 22 in | By proclamation only |
| NCWRC | Central-Southern Management Area inland and joint waters: Cape Fear River and tributaries (Buckhorn Dam to U.S | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| NCWRC | Central-Southern Management Area inland and joint waters: Tar-Pamlico River above Gum Point-Fork Point line an | 1 a day | 22-27 in protected (no fish possessed between 22 and 27 inches) | April 1-30, 2026 |
| NCWRC | Lake Mattamuskeet; Pee Dee River and tributaries below Blewett Falls Dam | 3 a day | 18 in minimum | No closed season |
| NCDMF | Atlantic Ocean (0-3 miles) | 1 a day | 28-31 in harvest slot | Year-round |
| NCDMF | Albemarle Sound Management Area (Albemarle, Currituck, Roanoke and Croatan sounds and joint/inland tributaries | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| NCDMF | Central Southern Management Area internal coastal and joint waters: Tar-Pamlico (west of Gum Point-Fork Point) | 1 a day | 22-27 in protected | April 1-30, 2026 |
| NCDMF | Central Southern Management Area, all other internal coastal and joint waters (incl. Cape Fear River and tribu | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Heaviest striped bass the state has recorded
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line by weight | 66 lbs | Hiwassee Reservoir | 2012 |
| all tackle by weight | 64 lb. 0 oz. | Off Oregon Inlet | 2011 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
striped bass across the state
Lakes with striped bass
- John H. Kerr Reservoir48,900 acres
- Lake Norman32,510 acres
- Lake Gaston20,300 acres
- High Rock Lake15,180 acres
- Chatuge Lake6,700 acres
- Hiwassee Lake5,870 acres
- Badin Lake5,355 acres
- Lake Tillery5,260 acres
- Roanoke Rapids Lake4,600 acres
- Lake Hickory4,110 acres
- Hyco Lake4,015 acres
- Lake Rhodhiss3,515 acres
- Tuckertown Reservoir2,560 acres
- Lake Townsend1,635 acres
- W. Kerr Scott Reservoir1,475 acres
- Moss Lake1,329 acres
- Lookout Shoals Lake835 acres
- Oak Hollow Lake690 acres
- Farmer Lake390 acres
- Salem Lake297.5 acres
- Lake MattamuskeetHyde
Streams with striped bass
- Neuse RiverJohnston
- Roanoke RiverBertie
- Cape Fear RiverBladen
- Dan RiverStokes
- Pee Dee RiverAnson
- Pungo RiverBeaufort
- Pamlico RiverBeaufort
- Tranters CreekPitt
NCWRC stocking lists, regulation tables, species profiles and records; largest waters first.
Species listed with striped bass
- American shadboth
- Hickory shadboth
Shore and water close to Striped bass
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Warren LeMay from Cullowhee, NC, United States, CC0 1.0
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Photo: Abbeynball, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
North Carolina striped bass, answered
May North Carolina anglers keep striped bass?
4 a day (Impounded inland waters and their tributaries except listed waters), size 20 in minimum.
What is the North Carolina record striped bass?
66 lbs from Hiwassee Reservoir (2012).
Which North Carolina waters hold striped bass?
29 waters on this site, including John H. Kerr Reservoir, Lake Norman and Lake Gaston.
Where does NCWRC stock striped bass?
1,234,500 on the 2026 warmwater list.
What scientific name do agencies use for striped bass?
Striped bass are typically 18 to 24 inches long in estuarine waters and between 30 and 40 inches long in ocean waters.
Does North Carolina close the season on striped bass?
No closed season
What license fee applies at striped bass?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident). Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Are there guides for striped bass?
See the guides page.