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North Carolina Trout Fishing Regulations 2026

5 NCWRC Public Mountain Trout Waters classes, 1,534 named waters — NCWRC's own data, compiled here so you can search it.

Last updated 2026-09-28 · rebuilt nightly from NCWRC data

Season dates

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission publishes North Carolina's trout season dates in the NC Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest and does not publish them as data. We do not retype them here, because a season date typed from memory is the one error on a page like this that costs the reader a citation — read them at NCWRC. What NCWRC does publish as data is the designation each water carries, and that is the section below.

NCWRC Public Mountain Trout Waters classes

Every class NCWRC uses, the waters in it, and what the class means. Counts are of named waters in our copy of the state's data.

Special regulations

Water carrying a rule of its own — a closure, a gear restriction, or a named regulation — with the water it applies to.

• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “(Big) Glade Creek”.
  (Big) Glade Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “(Big) Hungry River”.
  (Big) Hungry River
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “(Big) Snowbird Creek”.
  (Big) Snowbird Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “(Rocky) Broad River”.
  (Rocky) Broad River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Alarka Creek”.
  Alarka Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Ararat River”.
  Ararat River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Armstrong Creek”.
  Armstrong Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Bald Mountain Creek”.
  Bald Mountain Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Beaver Creek”.
  Beaver Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Beaverdam Creek”.
  Beaverdam Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Beech Creek”.
  Beech Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Bent Creek”.
  Bent Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Big Elkin Creek”.
  Big Elkin Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Big Horse Creek”.
  Big Horse Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Big Laurel Creek”.
  Big Laurel Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Big Pine Creek”.
  Big Pine Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Big Rock Creek”.
  Big Rock Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Bledsoe Creek”.
  Bledsoe Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Brush Creek”.
  Brush Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Buck Creek”.
  Buck Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Buckeye Creek”.
  Buckeye Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters / Wild Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Buffalo Creek”.
  Buffalo Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Burningtown Creek”.
  Burningtown Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Cane Creek”.
  Cane Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Cane River”.
  Cane River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Carroll Creek”.
  Carroll Creek
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Carter Creek”.
  Carter Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Cartoogechaye Creek”.
  Cartoogechaye Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters / Special Regulation Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Catawba River”.
  Catawba River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Clear Creek”.
  Clear Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Cold Springs Creek”.
  Cold Springs Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Connelly Creek”.
  Connelly Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Cove Creek”.
  Cove Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters / Wild Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Cranberry Creek”.
  Cranberry Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Cub Creek”.
  Cub Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Cullasaja River”.
  Cullasaja River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Cullowhee Creek”.
  Cullowhee Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Curtis Creek”.
  Curtis Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Dark Ridge Creek”.
  Dark Ridge Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Darnell Creek”.
  Darnell Creek
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Davidson River”.
  Davidson River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Davis Creek”.
  Davis Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Deep Creek”.
  Deep Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Dillingham Creek”.
  Dillingham Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters / Wild Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Dutch Creek”.
  Dutch Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “East Fork French Broad River”.
  East Fork French Broad River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “East Fork Grassy Creek”.
  East Fork Grassy Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “East Prong Roaring River”.
  East Prong Roaring River
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Elk Creek”.
  Elk Creek
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Elk River”.
  Elk River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Fall Creek”.
  Fall Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Fires Creek”.
  Fires Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Fisher River (Cooper Creek)”.
  Fisher River (Cooper Creek)
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Flat Creek”.
  Flat Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “French Broad River”.
  French Broad River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Grassy Creek”.
  Grassy Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters / Wild Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Green River”.
  Green River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Greens Creek”.
  Greens Creek
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Henry Fork”.
  Henry Fork
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Hyatt Creek”.
  Hyatt Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Ivy Creek”.
  Ivy Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Jacob Fork”.
  Jacob Fork
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters / Wild Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Joes Creek”.
  Joes Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Jonathan Creek”.
  Jonathan Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Junaluska Creek”.
  Junaluska Creek
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Laurel Creek”.
  Laurel Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Linville River”.
  Linville River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Little Buck Creek”.
  Little Buck Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Little Ivy Creek”.
  Little Ivy Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Little River”.
  Little River
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Lost Cove Creek”.
  Lost Cove Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Lovills Creek”.
  Lovills Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Meadow Fork”.
  Meadow Fork
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Meat Camp Creek”.
  Meat Camp Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Middle Fork French Broad River”.
  Middle Fork French Broad River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Middle Fork New River”.
  Middle Fork New River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Middle Fork Reddies River”.
  Middle Fork Reddies River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Middle Prong Roaring River”.
  Middle Prong Roaring River
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Mill Creek”.
  Mill Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Milltimber Creek”.
  Milltimber Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Mitchell River”.
  Mitchell River
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Nantahala River”.
  Nantahala River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Nathans Creek”.
  Nathans Creek
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Newberry Creek”.
  Newberry Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Norris Fork Creek”.
  Norris Fork Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “North Fork Catawba River”.
  North Fork Catawba River
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “North Fork Mills River”.
  North Fork Mills River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters / Wild Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “North Fork New River”.
  North Fork New River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “North Fork Reddies River”.
  North Fork Reddies River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “North Pacolet River”.
  North Pacolet River
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “North Toe River”.
  North Toe River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Old Fields Creek”.
  Old Fields Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Panther Creek”.
  Panther Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Peak Creek”.
  Peak Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Pigeon River”.
  Pigeon River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Pike Creek”.
  Pike Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Pine Swamp Creek”.
  Pine Swamp Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Piney Fork”.
  Piney Fork
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Pond Creek”.
  Pond Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Prathers Creek”.
  Prathers Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Price Creek”.
  Price Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Puncheon Fork”.
  Puncheon Fork
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Reddies River”.
  Reddies River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Reems Creek”.
  Reems Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Richland Creek”.
  Richland Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Roan Creek”.
  Roan Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Roaring Fork”.
  Roaring Fork
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Santeetlah Creek”.
  Santeetlah Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Savannah Creek”.
  Savannah Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Scott Creek”.
  Scott Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Shelton Laurel Creek”.
  Shelton Laurel Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Shuler Creek”.
  Shuler Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Shut-in Creek”.
  Shut-in Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “South Fork New River”.
  South Fork New River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “South Fork Reddies River”.
  South Fork Reddies River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “South Prong Lewis Fork”.
  South Prong Lewis Fork
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “South Toe River”.
  South Toe River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Spillcorn Creek”.
  Spillcorn Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Spring Creek”.
  Spring Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Squirrel Creek”.
  Squirrel Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Stecoah Creek”.
  Stecoah Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Stone Mountain Creek”.
  Stone Mountain Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Stony Creek”.
  Stony Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Stony Fork”.
  Stony Fork
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Swannanoa River”.
  Swannanoa River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Three Top Creek”.
  Three Top Creek
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters / Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Tuckasegee River”.
  Tuckasegee River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Tulula Creek”.
  Tulula Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Tusquitee Creek”.
  Tusquitee Creek
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Upper Creek”.
  Upper Creek
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Watauga River”.
  Watauga River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “West Buffalo Creek”.
  West Buffalo Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “West Fork French Broad River”.
  West Fork French Broad River
• Named regulation · Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “West Fork Pigeon River”.
  West Fork Pigeon River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “West Fork Shut-In Creek”.
  West Fork Shut-In Creek
• Named regulation · Catch and Release/Artificial Flies and Lures Only Trout Waters / Delayed Harvest Trout Waters / Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Wilson Creek”.
  Wilson Creek
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Yadkin River”.
  Yadkin River
• Named regulation · Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
  NCWRC publishes this water under its own named regulation, “Yellow Creek”.
  Yellow Creek

Recent changes

Nothing has moved since the previous build. This page is rebuilt nightly against NCWRC's data and this section fills in the night a season, a limit or a classification changes.

Coldwater and warmwater rules

North Carolina's trout rules apply to Public Mountain Trout Waters. Water outside the PMTW designation runs on the statewide inland rules for whatever lives in it, and most of the state's warmwater rivers are never trout water at all.

Trout fishing near a town in North Carolina

The same classification, asked the other way round: what NCWRC classifies as trout water within forty miles of one place, ranked by how much of it is in range. 18 towns in North Carolina have one — a town is on this list when the water near it is not the water near a bigger town down the road.

• Trout fishing near Winston-Salem
• Trout fishing near Asheville
• Trout fishing near Gastonia
• Trout fishing near Hickory
• Trout fishing near Statesville
• Trout fishing near Boone
• Trout fishing near Morganton
• Trout fishing near Hendersonville
• Trout fishing near Mount Airy
• Trout fishing near Black Mountain
• Trout fishing near King
• Trout fishing near Marion
• Trout fishing near Boiling Springs
• Trout fishing near Franklin
• Trout fishing near Murphy
• Trout fishing near Highlands
• Trout fishing near Catawba
• Trout fishing near Harmony

Licence and the official documents

We do not reproduce NCWRC's licence pages or its digest. These are the originals.

• Buy a North Carolina fishing licence →
  North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, official portal
• North Carolina Inland Fishing Regulations Digest →
  The document this page is a searchable compilation of
• NCWRC fishing regulations →
  Including any in-season change