NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Public Mountain Trout Waters Search

Looking for a great new place to fish for trout in the mountains of North Carolina, or are you interested in checking the rules and regulations for a favorite spot?

The fields below can help you search Public Mountain Trout Waters and show you which regulatory classifications apply.

You can open a map and zoom to the selected water from the search results, or you can save your list as a PDF document to read when you're on the go.

Remember, always consult the N.C. Inland Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Regulations Digest to find additional information regarding fishing in Public Mountain Trout Waters.

Click the search button below to view all Counties and Classifications. You can also customize your serach by using the fields below.

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Tip: Click on a classification sign image to view a detailed pdf.

Catch and Release / Artificial Flies and Lures Trout Waters
Catch and Release / Artificial Flies and Lures Trout Waters
CRAFLOSign.pdf

These waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may be fished only with artificial flies and lures having one single hook. No trout may be harvested or possessed while fishing these streams. These streams are marked with red-and-gold signs.

Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
DHSign.pdf

Delayed Harvest Trout Waters, excluding tributaries except as noted, have lure and harvest regulations that vary during the year, and on the first Saturday in June, there is a period when only youth under the age of 16 may fish. These waters are marked with black-and-white signs.

Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
HSSign.pdf

In Hatchery Supported Trout Waters there is no size limit or bait restriction, and the creel limit is seven trout per day. These waters are marked with green-and-white signs.

Special Regulation Trout Waters
Special Regulation Trout Waters
SRSign.pdf

These portions of Public Mountain Trout Waters, excluding tributaries except as noted, are subject to watercourse-specific, special regulations. These streams are marked with white and-red signs.

Wild Trout Waters
Wild Trout Waters
WTSign.pdf

In all Wild Trout Waters, the minimum length limit is seven inches and the creel limit is four trout per day. Only artificial lures with one single hook may be used. All Public Mountain Trout Waters located on game lands are Wild Trout Waters unless classified and posted otherwise. Wild Trout Waters are marked with blue-and-gold signs.

Wild Trout / Natural Bait Waters
Wild Trout / Natural Bait Waters
WNBSign.pdf

These waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may be fished with artificial lures or natural bait, except live fish. Lures and natural baits are restricted to one single hook. The minimum length limit is seven inches, and the daily creel limit is four trout. These streams are marked with brown-and-gold signs.