Requirements
This license allows recreational fishermen to harvest finfish for personal consumption; finfish harvested under this license cannot be sold. Fishermen using this license are held to the state’s recreational size and possession limits. This license cannot be assigned or transferred and is required for ANY type of recreational finfish harvest not included under the Recreational Commercial Gear License. Fishermen holding the CRFL are required to comply with all DMF sampling and survey programs.

The license is required to recreationally harvest finfish in the state’s Coastal Fishing Waters, which include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries, out to three miles in the ocean. Recreational anglers who catch fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (3 miles – 200 miles offshore) will be required to have this license to land fish in state waters. Fishing in Joint Waters (areas managed by both the Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources commissions) will require either the CRFL or a WRC inland fishing license.

Exemptions
Individuals under16 years of age.
Individuals who purchase any of the following WRC licenses prior to Jan. 1, 2006:
· All categories of Lifetime Sportsman licenses;
· Lifetime Resident Comprehensive Fishing License;
· Lifetime Combination Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Resident Sportsman;
· Disabled Resident Sportsman;
· Lifetime Fishing License for the Legally Blind; and
· Adult Care Home Resident Fishing License.

Blanket & Block Licenses
For-hire vessels and ocean fishing piers have the option to purchase a blanket license to cover their fishing patrons. Beginning Januray 2009 block licenses are available to private not-for-hire vessels of 23 feet or more. See NC Division of Marine Fisheries for details.

Waivers
A free license waiver will be available for subsistence anglers from their local Department of Social Services.

Sales Agents
The new license will be available from WRC license agents throughout the state and at any DMF office. The number of license agents will be increased in coastal areas.

Marine Resources Funds
Proceeds from the sale of this license will go into two marine resources funds managed by the state’s Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Resources commissions. Revenues must be used to manage, protect, restore, develop, cultivate, conserve and/or enhance North Carolina’s marine resources.

Frequently Asked Questions
Visit North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License FAQ

Currituck County

Outlet Type	Name	Address
License Agent	TW's Bait & Tackle	815B Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 (252) 453-3339
License & Vessel Agent	Currituck Sports	4306 Caratoke Hwy Barco, NC 27917 (252) 453-2480
License & Vessel Agent	East Coast Home & Garden	512 Caratoke Hwy Moyock, NC 27958 (252) 435-6999
License Agent	Jones Grocery & Spply	385 Knotts Island Rd Knotts Island, NC 27950 (252) 429-3305
License Agent	Midway Marina & Motel	157 Coinjock Developtment Rd Coinjock, NC 27923 (252) 453-3625
License Agent	Old's Auto Sply	NC Hwy 168 Moyock, NC 27958 (252) 435-6366
License Agent	Stewart's Hunting Lodge	773 Bells Island Rd Currituck, NC 27929 (252) 232-2309

Dare County

Outlet Type	Name	Address
Vessel Agent	Manteo Marine	411 S Hwy 64 Manteo, NC 27954 (252) 473-2197
License Agent	Frisco Shppng Ctr	53610 Hwy 12 Frisco, NC 27936 (252) 995-5366
License Agent	K Mart	1901 N Croatan Hwy Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 (252) 441-1935
License Agent	TW's Bait & Tackle	3864 N Croatan Hwy Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 (252) 453-3339
License Agent	TW's Bait & Tackle	3022 S Croatan Hwy Nags Head, NC 27959 (252) 441-4807
License Agent	WalMart	5400 N Croatan Hwy Suite 100 KItty Hawk, NC 27949 (252) 261-6011
DMF Agent	Div Marine Fisheries	604 Harbor Rd Wanchese, NC 27981 (252) 473-1233

Hyde County

Outlet Type	Name	Address
License & Vessel Agent	O'Neal's Dockside	NC RR 12 Ocracoke, NC 27960 (252) 928-1111
License & Vessel Agent	Quarter Grill	22 NC 45 Swan Quarter, NC 27885 (252) 926-9500
License & Vessel Agent	RS Spencer	3410 US Hwy 264 Englehard, NC 27824 (252) 925-9281
License Agent	Carawans Enterprises	510 NC Hwy 94 Swan Quarter, NC 27885 (252) 926-5861
License Agent	Eaks Hunt & Fish Spply	8660 Piney Woods Rd Fairfield, NC 27826 (252) 926-5101

Source: the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission October 31, 2006

Return to the Outer Banks Shopping Village

For information on North Carolina's Outer Banks use our On-Line Request Form.
For information on Corporate Sponsorship of North Carolina's Outer Banks e-mail us at:

Return to North Carolina's Outer Banks homepage.

Copyright © 2009