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collecting in north carolina

Started by Guest_bart_* , Feb 08 2009 11:01 AM

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12 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_bart_*

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Posted 08 February 2009 - 11:01 AM

I am planning to take a trip down to myrtle beach in September and I would like to collect in North Carolina on the way back. I read North Carolina's inland regs and am left unsure as to what I can and need to do. I would like to dip net a few small creeks and ditches along I-95. It appears that I need a special devices license to use a dip net? For a non resident this is $50 plus the temp fishing license!!! I had planned on having a few friends help me and maybe getting a seine for the trip but the cost for a group of nonresidents would be ridiculous to catch a few darters and minnows. If I understand this correctly, the regulations booklet also states that there are seasonal and location limits to using special devices? Does this mean I can only collect in these areas at the prescribed time or that these areas are the only areas I can collect in period?

This is very confusing and I would appreciate any advice someone could give me on their experience with collecting in north Carolina.

If I can figure this out I would also like to know if any locals would like to meet up and collect. I plan on collecting in creeks that are 20-40 minutes from the I-95 corridor but I would be willing to go a little further for a meet up.

Sorry if this should have been under the regulations forum but this is about a collecting trip and I thought I would get more feed back here.

Bart

#2 Guest_fundulus_*

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Posted 08 February 2009 - 11:28 AM

"Dip net" refers to large commercial nets that can be used to net fish like large suckers, not to the dip nets that people on this forum use. I'm not familiar with the details of NC regulations but I would guess that the possession of a fishing license is adequate for catching "bait fish". I'm sure others actually know(!).

#3 Guest_Moontanman_*

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Posted 08 February 2009 - 10:28 PM

I collect in NC with a dip net and seines and umbrella nets. I always get a fishing license and a special devices license. I'm honestly not sure if you need both or not. Fritz would know for sure I would think

#4 Guest_mikez_*

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Posted 09 February 2009 - 10:18 AM

It's been several years since I collected in NC but I remember being checked by a warden [for snake collecting] and he didn't say a word about my dip nets or the mosquitofish and bluespotted sunnies in my cooler.
BTW, the warden was very polite and pleasant.

Edited by mikez, 09 February 2009 - 10:20 AM.

#5 Guest_mette_*

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Posted 11 February 2009 - 12:48 AM

It appears that I need a special devices license to use a dip net? For a non resident this is $50 plus the temp fishing license!!!

Generally speaking, a freshwater or inland fishing license should do you fine for what you describe. That will cover bait fishing in most cases, which will allow you to take nongame fishes by dipnet or seine. Under certain circumstances you will need additional permits, for instance in certain bodies of water or using certain gear. Following this regulation has always worked for me, but caveat emptor.

Are you looking for particular fishes? 95 approximates the fall line in NC and therefore gives you good access to a diversity of species.

#6 Guest_bart_*

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Posted 11 February 2009 - 10:58 AM

I did extensive research on species found in the areas I plan to sample. I am pretty familiar with the distribution and legalities of all the species I have listed. I think I found on the nanfa forum somewhere that someone posted a link to a species distribution list for NC. This was very useful, thank you. While knowing where to find fish on a map helps, access and workability are different factors unto themselves.

I plan on doing some collecting in SC in the little river/myrtle beach area before I leave. If I don't find mudminnows in myrtle I may look for them in North Carolina. I also plan on looking for pygmy and blackbanded sunfish in the myrtle area as ALL species of sunfish are considered gamefish in NC and therefore cannot be caught with nets.

All of which are secure and legal. In order of interest for North Carolina I would say...

Roanoke darter
Piedmont darter
Swamp darter
Sawcheek darter
Glassy darter
Chainback darter
Tadpole madtom
Lined topminnow

plus any other interesting aquarium fish I cam make a positive id on. It's a tall order but I will have some help and will have plenty of tank space for any I get.

I was wondering about these 2 as well. Both are really high on my list. Is it legal to collect either of these in North Carolina?

Blacktip jumprock
pinewoods darter

Is there any of interest that I missed of might be able to drive a bit further to get? At this point I am strictly interested in NC and SC for this trip to keep license fees down and logistics under control.

#7 Guest_mikez_*

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Posted 11 February 2009 - 10:43 PM

You should have good luck on the lined topminnow. I found them very common in road side ditches with a mix of submerged and emergent vegetation.
If you drag your dipnet blind through the vegetation you should come up with swamp darters pretty easily. Look very, very carefully in the leaves and muck in your net to be sure you don't miss any darters and you may be rewarded with a swampfish as well.

#8 Guest_Drew_*

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Posted 11 February 2009 - 10:58 PM

Roanoke and chainback darters will be found in the same location and aren't too hard to find. Like Mike said, the lined topminnows should be really easy.

We found a single blacktip jumprock last year pretty quick moving water. You will need a seining partner to be able to get them. I've seen the pinewoods darter but it is listed as Species of Concern in NC so we didn't keep any.

Hit up Fritz as he's always looking for people to show around.

#9 Guest_fritz_*

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Posted 12 February 2009 - 10:21 AM

Hit up Fritz as he's always looking for people to show around.

Gee thanks Drew. BTW its black jumprock (not blacktip) and yes the pinewoods darter is listed as special concern.

In reading the WRC regs, a fishing license is needed to use a dip net.

#10 Guest_Drew_*

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Posted 12 February 2009 - 10:32 AM

Gee thanks Drew. BTW its black jumprock (not blacktip) and yes the pinewoods darter is listed as special concern.

In reading the WRC regs, a fishing license is needed to use a dip net.

No prob Fritz. Isn't it referred to both black and blacktip?

#11 Guest_bart_*

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Posted 12 February 2009 - 11:16 AM

No prob Fritz. Isn't it referred to both black and blacktip?

Peterson's calls it black, nature serve says blacktip. Had to use scientific name to find it. :-k

Thanks for the great advice guys, I am totally stoked for this trip. Only 7-8 months to go. :neutral:

Can I also use a seine with a regular fishing license?

#12 Guest_fritz_*

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Posted 12 February 2009 - 04:15 PM

Peterson's calls it black, nature serve says blacktip. Had to use scientific name to find it. Thanks for the great advice guys, I am totally stoked for this trip. Only 7-8 months to go.

Can I also use a seine with a regular fishing license?

yes, less than 12' long and mesh size of 1/4 inch or less.

as your trip gets closer, get in touch with me. maybe we can hook up and "I can show you around".
fritz