MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries reminds fishermen that a one-month striped bass season will open April 1 in portions of the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers and their tributaries.

The season will open April 1 and close April 30 for both recreational and commercial fisheries. The following provisions will apply:

Recreational

• Creel limit: One fish per person per day
• Size limit: 18-inch minimum total length and no striped bass between 22- and 27-inches total length

Commercial

• Trip limit: One fish per person per day
• Size limit: 18-inch minimum total length and no striped bass between 22- and 27-inches total length
• Hook-and-line allowed as legal commercial gear in the striped bass fishery
• Commercial tagging requirements will continue
• Tie-down and distance from shore requirements for gill nets will be maintained

Area Description

The recreational and commercial striped bass season in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers will open upriver of the demarcation lines below.

• Tar-Pamlico River: Upriver of a line beginning at a point at Gum Point 35° 25.1669’ N – 76° 45.5251’ W; running southwesterly to a point at Fork Point at 35° 23.4453’ N – 76° 46.4346’ W.
• Neuse River: Upriver of a line beginning at a point at Cooper Point 35° 02.1433’ N – 76° 55.9965’ W; running southwesterly to a point at Fisher Landing Point 35° 00.1550’ N – 76° 58.5738’ W.