JULY 2, 2009 ISSUE
Go Fishing, No License Needed
This Saturday, July 4, from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., residents and non-residents can fish in any public water in North Carolina, including coastal waters and Bass Lake (pictured), without the purchase of a fishing license or trout privilege license. Photo by Ken Ketchie
If you have a hankering to wet a line, get away from it all, or have been dreaming about seeing a native trout rise thru crystal-clear waters to a dry fly, now is the time. On Saturday, July 4, from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., anyone—resident and non-resident—can fish in any public water in North Carolina, including coastal waters, without the purchase of a fishing license or trout privilege license.
This includes the marvelous waters in the High Country. Authorized by the N.C. General Assembly and started in 1994, North Carolina’s annual free fishing day, which always falls on July 4, was created to encourage people to go fishing and promote North Carolina’s vast aquatic resources.
“Watauga” means “beautiful river” in the Cherokee Indian language and you won’t find any disagreement with the Cherokee’s perception from the plethora of professional fishing guides that make their living teaching newcomers and guiding aficionados to their favorite fishing holes in the High Country.
“We have some of the purest waters in the word,” said Tennant Teeter, a long-time, professional guide in the High Country. “Fish had a good winter. No extended cold periods or low water enabled our wild trout population to proliferate, a good spawn this year. And thankfully, all the rain has provided good water levels.
“We hope people will take advantage of the no-license-needed fishing day and take their children, too. This is, in a broader way, about conserving our resources after all, and what better way is there to do that than introducing our children to the sport of fishing.”
In conversations with most of our area guide services, not only is the fishing top-notch this year, business is good as well. Most fishing shops reported booked-up fishing trips for the past two months.
Area guide services offer wading and float trips, fishing schools, regulation information, N.C. licenses and all the gear one needs to get started or stock up.
“Even with the cost of fishing licenses, fishing is a relatively inexpensive family pastime that can be enjoyed year-round by children and adults,” said Kyle Briggs, a fisheries program manager with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “There is no shortage of places where anglers of all ages can go to reel in a variety of fish — from largemouth bass and catfish in coastal rivers to striped bass, crappie and sunfish in Piedmont reservoirs to trout and smallmouth bass in cool, mountain streams.”
Where do you go if you are a newcomer to the High Country? Our local guides suggest fishing in any water above 3,000 feet. Maybe you will have a great experience and land a native brook trout, a member of the char family known for its stealth, fighting spirit and translucent purple splotches that adorn its body.
Area guides recommend these dry flies for July: most terrestrials (beetles, red and black ants, etc.) elk-hair caddis and parachute Adams. For spin fishing, a small rooster tail should attract trout. Please practice catch-and-release.
All other fishing regulations, such as fish length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions, apply on July 4.
North Carolina residents age 16 and older who are interested in fishing the remaining 364 days of the year can purchase a one-year comprehensive inland fishing license, which includes public trout waters, for $20. A one-year license to fish in coastal waters is $15; to fish in inland, including public trout waters, and coastal waters; a unified license is $35 and is valid for one year from purchase date. To purchase a license:
Call the Wildlife Resources Commission at 1-888-248-6834. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week; or visit one of the many High Country fishing shops.
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