The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) announces the spotted seatrout harvest season in inland and joint (by hook-and-line) fishing waters reopens today (July 1). NCWRC closed the season between May 2 and June 30 to help the species recover from mortality due to last winter’s cold stun event.
The reopening includes new size and creel limits for the species. Spotted seatrout will have a daily creel limit of three fish per person and a minimum size limit of 14 inches in length. No fish may be harvested measuring between 20 – 26 inches, with one fish allowed in the daily creel over 26 inches in length.
“These rule changes are in agreement with the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission’s Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1 and will be consistent with rules established in coastal fishing waters,” said Inland Fisheries Division Chief Corey Oakley.
The Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan identifies that the spotted seatrout population is experiencing overfishing. The new rule changes have been identified as measures to allow the population to recover and end overfishing.
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