Fishing

image: Recreational boaters head under the Highway 24 bridge as they motor past Swansboro along the White Oak River.

May 21, 2026

Are you wearing a life jacket?

Life preservers save lives, but many recreational boaters don’t wear them.

image: woman holds an adult sheepshead on a boat.

Apr 13, 2026

Where do sheepshead spawn along the North Carolina coast?

New research identifies when and where sheepshead gather to reproduce.

Mar 23, 2026

Are anglers a rising threat to sharks?

Recreational catches of shortfin mako reveal the impacts of modern fishing on open-ocean sharks.

Feb 23, 2026

Will NC mountain streams be suitable for stocked trout in 2050?

A 35-year-old record of temperatures and a new computer model inform where and when to stock in the future.

Image: Adult white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus), courtesy of NOAA.

Jan 24, 2026

Why does the number of shrimp in Pamlico Sound vary so much year to year?

A North Carolina Sea Grant study shows that combining shrimpers’ local ecological knowledge with traditional science leads to a clearer picture of why shrimp populations fluctuate.

image: Boaters and their dog speed south down the Intracoastal Waterway near Figure Eight Island.

Jul 3, 2025

Boating under the influence can be lethal.

Any level of alcohol intake increases the risk of death on the water.

Jun 30, 2025

What kind of gear can you win from the South Atlantic Release Rodeo?

Circle hooks and lead weights, a kite rod and reel combo, and a Turtlebox speaker.

Jun 2, 2025

Are big dolphinfish getting harder to catch?

Two decades of fishing data raise concerns about this offshore favorite.

Apr 7, 2025

Can we predict who wins a bass tournament?

Home field advantage may help determine the outcome...

Jan 27, 2025

How does the moon phase affect fish?

A new study suggests when anglers might have the most lunar luck.