skip to main content | skip to footer
North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Marine Fisheries - Recreational Commercial Gear License

Marine Fisheries

recreational boaters fishers

A number of fishing licenses and permits are available for the saltwater angler. Don't be confused — get the latest information on these topics by following the links below.

Buy a Coastal Recreational Fishing License

Visit one of the offices of the Division of Marine Fisheries to purchase a license in person. Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses are also available at many tackle shops and sporting goods stores.

Purchase a license online at the N.C. Wildlife website.
(NOTE: Clicking this link will take you to the N.C. Wildlife site — which is not part of the Division of Marine Fisheries. Once on the Wildlife site, click on the yellow "Purchase Licenses" button).
License details
What licenses do you need to do what?		 License types and fees
Find the cost of annual licenses, 10-day licenses, blanket licenses and more.

License FAQ
DMF answers the most commonly-asked questions
about licensing.

Recreational Fishing Tournament License

Coastal Recreational Fishing License
Exemption Permit

Bluefin and Billfish Permits
Planning on fishing for bluefin tuna or
swordfish? You'll need a permit from NMFS for that.
Freshwater Fishing Licenses
(North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)		  
Recreational Commercial Gear License
Purchase this license if you plan to harvest seafood for personal consumption using commercial fishing gear.

Gill Nets

Pots

Trawls:
Shrimp and Skimmer

Shrimp Pound

Trotlines

Seines

Buoy Requirements

 

N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries • 3441 Arendell Street • Morehead City, NC 28557 • 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632

NC logo
38337 FEEDBACK

Your input is valuable to us. Please send us your feedback.

What type of feedback would you like to send?*

Ask a Question Report a Problem Have a Concern Make a Comment

(If you would like us to respond please include your phone or e-mail.)

Your Question has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Problem has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Concern has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Comment has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

*If you are a DENR employee with an I.T. issue, please submit a DOTS ticket.