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Fishing in McDowell County, Old Fort North Carolina Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters There are approximately 1,100 miles of Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters in North Carolina. In hatchery-supported waters there is no size limit or bait restriction, and the creel limit is seven trout per day. Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters are marked with green-and white signs that are posted conspicuously along the watercourses. The following waters are classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters (streams that are underlined are stocked with catchable-size trout at frequent intervals during the months of March through August): McDowell County Catawba River (Catawba Falls Campground to Old Fort Recreation Park) Little Buck Creek (game land portion) North Fork Catawba River (headwaters to North Cove School at S.R. 1569 bridge) Armstrong Creek (Cato Holler lower line downstream to Greenlee upper line) Mill Creek (upper railroad bridge to U.S. 70 bridge, except where posted against trespassing) Mountain Heritage Trout Waters The Mountain Heritage Trout Waters program is a cooperative effort between the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and local governments to encourage trout fishing as a heritage tourism activity in western North Carolina cities that are designated as a “Mountain Heritage Trout Water City.” Currently, five cities are enrolled in the program. Each of these cities provides public access to a trout stream that runs through or is adjacent to the city. Old Fort has agreed to take part in this program and will be officially designated on August 1, 2010. North Carolina residents and non-residents who want to fish in a stream that is designated as a Mountain Heritage Trout Water may purchase a 3-day license for $5. The license is valid only for waters that are designated as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Anglers with the appropriate fishing license and trout privilege license can fish in Mountain Heritage Trout Waters without a Mountain Heritage Trout Waters license. The Commission offers two quick and easy ways to purchase a Mountain Heritage Trout Waters license using a credit card:
Important note: The Mountain Heritage Trout Water license can only be purchased online or by calling the toll-free number above. Wildlife Service Agents do not sell this license. To fish for trout in waters that are not designated as “Mountain Heritage Trout Waters,” anglers age 16 and over must have a valid fishing license and a trout privilege license. Click here to purchase a regular fishing license and stamp. No rod and reel? No problem! Anglers can borrow a rod and reel free of charge for the day at the Mountain Gateway Museum on Water St. The loaner rods and reels are provided by city and town governments and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission through the agency’s Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Tackle Loaner Program. This program operates like a library. Anglers of all ages register at participating Mountain Heritage Trout Waters program-tackle-loaner sites to receive a tackle loaner ID card, which allows them to check out a rod and reel for the day. Anglers under age 18 must have a parent or guardian to complete the registration form. Anglers receive a free one-time mini-tackle box containing assorted lures the first time they register in the program. One tackle box per participant is permitted. Loaner rods and reels are available for a one-day loan and must be returned to the participating loaner site by the end of the business day.
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