Fish for free in NC on July 4th

The Fourth of July is free fishing day in North Carolina. From 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., everyone in North Carolina can fish in any public body of water without purchasing a fishing license or additional trout fishing license, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Residents and non-residents can fish for free in public, inland waters, as well as coastal waters, although they will need to abide by all other fishing regulations, such as size and creel limits, as well as lure restrictions.

The wildlife commission stocks a variety of fish in public, inland waters across the state throughout the year to give anglers a better chance of catching fish. Staff stocks cool mountain waters with brook, brown and rainbow trout, as well as walleye and muskellunge. In warm waters, staff stocks largemouth bass, American shad, striped bass, channel catfish and sunfishes.

Authorized by the N.C. General Assembly and enacted in 1994, North Carolina’s annual free fishing day always falls on July 4. On all other days of the year, a fishing license is not required for anglers 15 years and younger, but anyone age 16 and older must have a fishing license to fish in any public water in North Carolina, including coastal waters.