Bank and shore fishing in North Carolina
No boat? You still have 20 North Carolina waters with listed public access, 144 access sites in all. Open any water below to see its depth map, the rated spots within reach of each access point, and what to throw this season.
Access sites come from official agency access inventories where the state publishes one, with OpenStreetMap filling gaps. A carry-in site means you park and walk your gear in. We list where public access exists; always respect posted signs on the ground.
What the North Carolina access records show
The current roster links 144 documented public-access sites to 20 waters. 17 waters have more than one listed access option, while 0 have at least one site explicitly described as carry-in, walk-in or shore-oriented. The largest attached site counts are Pamlico Sound (46), Bogue Sound (32) and Currituck Sound (22). A larger count can offer more launch choices, but it does not make unlisted shoreline public.
Map quality is independent of access quality: 16 charts use measured bathymetry and 4 use labeled approximations. Use the table to shortlist a legal entry point, then open the water page to compare that point with contour breaks and rated fishing spots. Confirm parking, fees, opening hours, seasonal closures and bank-fishing rules with the managing agency before leaving; an access inventory is planning evidence, not a guarantee that every technique is allowed at every site.
| Water | Access sites | Carry-in | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pamlico Sound | 46 | — | survey |
| Bogue Sound | 32 | — | survey |
| Currituck Sound | 22 | — | survey |
| Back Sound | 3 | — | survey |
| Alligator Bay | 2 | — | survey |
| Bogue Inlet | 2 | — | survey |
| Hatteras Inlet | 2 | — | survey |
| Jarrett Bay | 2 | — | survey |
| Lookout Bight | 2 | — | survey |
| Masonboro Inlet | 2 | — | survey |
| Money Island Bay | 2 | — | survey |
| Stump Sound | 2 | — | survey |
| Topsail Sound | 2 | — | survey |
| Salliers Bay | 1 | — | survey |
| Sandy Bay | 1 | — | survey |
| Shallotte Inlet | 1 | — | survey |
| Nantahala River | 6 | — | modeled |
| Lake Chatuge | 5 | — | modeled |
| Roanoke River | 5 | — | modeled |
| French Broad River | 4 | — | modeled |
Find the closest waters to you →
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