Archived Outdoors

Trout waters catch-and-release only until summer

Seasonal restrictions on trout harvesting will go into effect in the western counties on Thursday, Oct. 1, meaning that anglers can’t keep any trout they catch from delayed-harvest trout waters until a half hour after sunset June 3, 2016. 

According to the rules, anglers can’t possess natural bait when fishing these waters — only artificial lures and one single hook. 

From fall to spring each year, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission stocks delayed-harvest trout waters with high densities of trout to increase anglers’ chances. By instituting the seasonal regulations — delayed-harvest trout waters are posted with diamond-shaped black-and-white signs — anglers who enjoy catch-and-release trout fishing get a chance to do so without competition from anglers looking for a trout dinner. 

www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Fish/Trout/TroutFishing.aspx.

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