Go Online Before Casting a Line in North Carolina
OutdoorHub 03.30.12
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is making it easier for anglers bound for the beach for the upcoming Easter holiday and spring breaks to purchase their saltwater fishing licenses before leaving home.
They can purchase licenses online, www.ncwildlife.org, or they can visit a local wildlife service agent, most of which are located in bait-and-tackle shops, hunting and sporting goods stores and larger chain stores. They also can call the Wildlife Resources Commission at 1-888-248-6834 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Anglers with smartphones, tablets or other portable devices can now purchase licenses using the Commission’s new mobile site, which is designed specifically for small screens and touch technology. They simply access the Commission’s full website, which then re-directs them automatically to the mobile site where they can purchase licenses, view size and creel limits of saltwater fishes, find a nearby wildlife service agent, and view interactive maps of boating access areas along the coast.
Anglers who are at the beach and without a mobile device can purchase licenses by visiting a wildlife service agent or by visiting one of six Division of Marine Fisheries offices located along the coast. Visit DMF’s website, http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf , for locations.
A Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) is required for anyone 16 years and older to fish recreationally in the state’s coastal fishing waters, which include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries out to three miles into the ocean. Recreational anglers who catch fish from three miles to 200 miles offshore also need this license to transport fish back to the shore.
Prices for the CRFL vary depending on residency, age, duration and type of license purchased. For residents, the annual cost for a CRFL is $15; for a 10-day license, $5. For non-residents, the annual cost for a CRFL is $30; a 10-day license is $10.
For more information on the CRFL, including a comprehensive list of all available licenses, or to download a document of frequently asked questions, visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf.
