As July comes to a close, we are once again faced with high winds and thunderstorms interrupting fishing days. The initial concern this year had been rising fuel prices causing boaters and surf fishermen alike to think twice about going out, but now it seems the volatile weather is adding insult to injury. This week, [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified the first state record Spanish Hogfish (Bodianus rufus), which was also certified as the All-Tackle World Record in 2021. Dr. Robert W. Timson of Southport caught the 2-pound, 11-ounce fish offshore of Frying Pan Tower nearly a year ago, on July 17, 2021. The fish measured 18 inches [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will collect Red Snapper carcasses from recreational fishermen during the upcoming Red Snapper-mini season. The division has set up five temporary freezer locations, in addition to the ten carcass collection locations available throughout the year, where recreational fishermen can take their Red Snapper carcasses. The temporary locations are: Bridge [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record Graysby Grouper (Cephalopholis cruentata) that may also be a world record. Edward J. Tait of Little River, S.C. caught the 3-pound, 0.8-ounce fish offshore of Ocean Isle Beach on June 30. The previous state record Graysby Grouper weighed 2 pounds, 3 ounces, and was [...] Fishing |  Full Article

As July 4th approaches and families prepare for cookouts and long days on the beach, many people will be on the water or shorelines with a rod in hand looking for their next catch. With fishing in full swing this season, anglers are getting in as much time on the water as they can before [...] Fishing |  Full Article

One newly amended marine fisheries rule will go into effect July 1. The change clarifies definitions and formalizes procedures for transferring ownership or subleasing of a shellfish lease. As amended, 15A NCAC 03O .0209 (Assignment of Shellfish Leases and Franchises) defines a transfer as a permanent assignment of a shellfish lease or franchise, and it [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting proposals for the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program for federal fiscal year 2023. The Request for Proposals is published on the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries BIG website. BIG is a grant program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that reimburses up to 75 percent of [...] Fishing |  Full Article

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding potential shellfish lease applicants that the 2022 application period ends Aug. 1. The division accepts shellfish bottom lease and water column applications annually from March 1 through Aug. 1. The applications must be either postmarked or dropped off at the Division Headquarters Office at 3441 Arendell Street, [...] Fishing |  Full Article

Reading maps for marine fisheries rules just got a lot easier! The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has launched a new interactive mapping tool to assist the public with finding and using maps associated with rules. The Common North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission Rules application replaces the old, static maps and is useful to both [...] Fishing |  Full Article