Waterlands

North Carolina · South Atlantic

North Carolina saltwater fishing forecast

9 bay systems and 904 named spots on the North Carolina Atlantic coast, with 6 NOAA tide stations. Right now the top-scoring bay system is Currituck Sound at 80 for Red drum.

In peak season this week: Atlantic croaker, Atlantic tarpon, Crevalle jack, Gray snapper, King mackerel and Red drum and 4 more.

Bay systems
9
Named spots
904
Tide stations
6
Species guides
30
Open the tide map

Bay systems right now · 9

Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 9:10 PM EDT. Best window is the rest of today.

80Great
Currituck Sound

ANZ633 · 75 named spots

Top now: Red drum · Best window 11 PM-12 AM (peak 80)

79Great
Croatan and Roanoke Sounds

AMZ231 · 49 named spots

Top now: Red drum · Best window 11 PM-12 AM (peak 79)

79Great
Neuse and Bay Rivers

AMZ137 · 260 named spots

Top now: Red drum · Best window 11 PM-12 AM (peak 79)

79Great
Pamlico and Pungo Rivers

AMZ136 · 134 named spots

Top now: Red drum · Best window 11 PM-12 AM (peak 79)

78Great
Albemarle Sound

AMZ230 · 21 named spots

Top now: Red drum · Best window 11 PM-12 AM (peak 78)

78Great
Alligator River

AMZ131 · 26 named spots

Top now: Red drum · Best window 11 PM-12 AM (peak 78)

78Great
Pamlico Sound

AMZ135 · 331 named spots

Top now: Red drum · Best window 11 PM-12 AM (peak 78)

75Great
Coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM

AMZ252 · 7 named spots

Top now: Red drum · Best window 11 PM-12 AM (peak 75)

74Great
Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm

AMZ250 · 1 named spot

Top now: Red drum · Best window 11 PM-12 AM (peak 74)

Scoring best right now

Each species' best score in a North Carolina bay system this hour.

Species guides · 30

Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in North Carolina waters.

Regulations and licenses

NCDMF saltwater regulations Buy a North Carolina fishing license License types

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with NCDMF Sep 18, 2026.

NCDMF is a division of the NC Department of Environmental Quality. Anglers 16 and older need a Coastal Recreational Fishing License to take finfish in Coastal Fishing Waters. For several species the limits page points to the latest DMF proclamation; check the Fisheries Management Proclamations page. Licenses are sold on Go Outdoors North Carolina, linked from the NCDMF license page.

No reviewed rules are on file for North Carolina yet. Check the regulator's page before you keep a fish.