North Carolina § 113-174 - 1. License required; general provisions governing licenses.

Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 113-174 — 1. License required; general provisions governing licenses., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 113-174. 1. License required; general provisions governing licenses.

License Required to Engage in Recreational Fishing. - It is unlawful for any individual to engage in recreational fishing in: Coastal fishing waters that are not joint fishing waters without holding a current license issued under this Article or under Article 25A of this Chapter that authorizes the individual to engage in recreational fishing in coastal fishing waters. Joint fishing waters without holding a current license issued under this Article or under Article 21 or Article 25A of this Chapter that authorizes the individual to engage in recreational fishing in joint fishing waters. Compliance With Applicable Laws. - It is unlawful for any individual to engage in recreational fishing without complying with applicable requirements of this Article and Articles 21 and 25A of this Chapter and with applicable rules adopted by the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Resources Commission. Fourth of July Free Fishing Day. - The fourth day of July of each year is declared a free fishing day to promote the sport of fishing, and no license issued under this Article or Article 25A of this Chapter is required to fish in any of the public waters of the State on that day. All other laws and rules pertaining to recreational fishing apply. Sale of Fish Prohibited. - A license issued under this Article or Article 25A of this Chapter does not authorize an individual who takes or lands any species of fish under the authority of the Marine Fisheries Commission to sell, offer for sale, barter, or exchange the fish for anything of value. Except as provided in G.S. 113-168.4, it is unlawful for any individual who takes or lands any species of fish under the authority of the Marine Fisheries Commission by any means to sell, offer for sale, barter, or exchange these fish for anything of value. Assignment and Transfer Prohibited. - It is unlawful to buy, sell, lend, borrow, assign, or otherwise transfer a license issued under this Article or Article 25A of this Chapter or to attempt to buy, sell, lend, borrow, assign, or otherwise transfer a license issued under this Article or Article 25A of this Chapter. , (e) Repealed by Session Laws 2005-455, s. 1.3, effective January 1, 2007. Cancellation of Fraudulent License; Penalties. - The Wildlife Resources Commission may cancel a license issued by the Commission under this Article or Article 25A of this Chapter if the license was issued on the basis of false information supplied by the license applicant. The Division may cancel a For Hire Blanket License issued under G.S. 113-174.3 if the license was issued on the basis of false information supplied by the license applicant. A cancelled license is void from the date of issuance. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for an individual to knowingly do any of the following: Engage in any activity regulated under this Article with an improper, false, or altered license. Make any false, fraudulent, or misleading statement in applying for a license issued under this Article or Article 25A of this Chapter. Counterfeit, alter, or falsify any application or license issued under this Article or Article 25A of this Chapter. Reporting Requirements. - A person licensed under this Article or Article 25A of this Chapter shall comply with the biological data sampling and survey programs of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Division. Replacement Licenses. - Upon receipt of a proper application together with a fee of five dollars ($5.00), the Wildlife Resources Commission or the Division may issue a new license to replace one issued by the respective agency that has been lost or destroyed before its expiration. The application must be on a form of the Wildlife Resources Commission or the Division setting forth information in sufficient detail to allow ready identification of the lost or destroyed license and ascertainment of the applicant's continued entitlement to it. History (2004-187, s. 2; 2005-455, ss. 1.3, 1.19; 2016-94, s. 14.8.) Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2005-455, s. 1.3, effective January 1, 2007, rewrote the section. Session Laws 2016-94, s. 14.8, effective July 1, 2016, in the second sentence of subsection (f), substituted "For Hire Blanket License" for "For Hire Blanket CRFL" near the beginning, and deleted "or an Ocean Fishing Pier Blanket CRFL issued under G.S. 113-174.4" near the middle.

Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 113-174

What does North Carolina General Statutes § 113-174 cover?

Section 113-174 ("1. License required; general provisions governing licenses.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite North Carolina § 113-174?

A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 113-174" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of North Carolina law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.

How does North Carolina § 113-174 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.