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.