Outer Banks Fishing License
North Carolina’s Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL), administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), is currently in effect. This license can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis, or combined with a variety of licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC).
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 Licenses
For-hire vessels and ocean fishing piers have the option to purchase a blanket license to cover their fishing patrons.
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
Reprinted from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries, at https://www.ncfisheries.net/recreational/NCCRFL.htm on October 31, 2006
Where to Buy a NC Coastal Recreational Fishing License
Currituck, Dare and Hyde Counties
Fishing licenses may be purchased on-line directly from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission or by calling 1-888-2HUNTFISH (1-888-248-6834) Monday thru Friday between 8 am and 5 pm (Visa and MasterCard accepted) or from an approved Wildlife Service Agent. Please note the Outlet Type below. Some Agents can only sell licenses OR vessel registrations. Others can sell BOTH licenses and vessel registrations. Service Agents are presented for Dare, Currituck and Hyde Counties and are subject to change.
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 Graocery & Spply | 385 Knotts Island Rd Knotts Island, NC 27950 (252) 429-3305 |
| License Agent | Midway Marina & Motel | 157 Coinjock Development 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 29749 (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
| Outler Type | Name | Address |
| License & Vessel Agent | O'Neal's Dockside | NC RR12 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 Supply | 8660 Piney Woods Rd Fairfield, NC 27826 (252) 926-5101 |
Source: the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission October 31, 2006
