1. (a) Individuals shall only take up to the daily creel limit of those species of inland game fish having a specified creel limit.

2. (b) Individuals shall only possess on those waters being fished:

   1. (1) the specified daily creel limit for the species;
   2. (2) fish conforming to the size limit for the species; and
   3. (3) the daily creel limit while fishing or afield.
3. (c) Individuals shall only possess up to three days creel limit at any place.

4. (d) No person, while fishing or afield, shall:

   1. (1) unnecessarily destroy any inland game fish taken from inland fishing waters;
   2. (2) remove the head or tail or otherwise change the appearance of any game fish having a size limit so to render it impracticable to measure its total original length; or
   3. (3) change the appearance of any game fish having a daily creel limit so to obscure its identification or render it impracticable to count the number of fish in possession.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑135; 113‑135.1; 113‑292;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; July 1, 1991; July 1, 1988; January 1, 1981;
Readopted Eff. March 15, 2023.