Delayed Harvest Trout season to begin in October

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) said it will implement Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations on Oct. 1.

The NCWRC said under Delayed Harvest Trout waters regulations, only catch-and-release of trout is permissible from program waters between Oct. 1 and June 5, 2026. No natural bait may be possessed, and anglers can fish only with artificial lures with one single hook.

The commission said staff stock Delayed Harvest Trout Waters from fall to spring with high densities of trout to increase the chances of catching trout.

"The changes are minimal when you take into consideration the devastation the storm caused to Western North Carolina," said Western Regional Fishery Supervisor Doug Besler. "The storm made considerable alterations to some of the landscape where trout fishing occurs. Therefore, we will not stock areas that are still either closed, or dangerous to fish due to access or major habitat changes."

For more information about Delayed Trout Harvest, visit the NCWRC's website.