North Carolina’s diverse aquatic environments, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, support a remarkable variety of fish species. Its unique geography, encompassing freshwater rivers, vast estuarine systems, and expansive offshore waters, creates a mosaic of habitats.
Freshwater Fish
North Carolina’s inland waters, including rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds, host a wide array of freshwater fish. Largemouth bass are abundant statewide in warm, slow-moving coastal streams, ponds, and large rivers, preferring areas with submerged vegetation and structures. These fish are often targeted by anglers. In the cooler, clearer waters of western North Carolina’s mountain and foothill regions, smallmouth bass are found in streams, lakes, and reservoirs. They often inhabit areas with rocky bottoms and swift currents.
Sunfish are distributed throughout the state in various habitats, from clear mountain streams to turbid Piedmont waters. Common examples include bluegill, redbreast sunfish, and green sunfish, which can be found in almost all water bodies except very cold mountain waters. Mountain streams are also home to various trout species, including the native brook trout, alongside introduced rainbow and brown trout. These trout thrive in the cold, clean, well-oxygenated waters characteristic of the state’s western mountainous regions.
Coastal and Estuarine Fish
North Carolina’s coastal and estuarine waters, particularly the vast Pamlico Sound, support a rich diversity of fish. The Pamlico Sound serves as a crucial nursery ground for many species. Red drum, North Carolina’s state saltwater fish, are abundant in these estuaries and along the Outer Banks. Juvenile red drum, often called “puppy drum,” grow in shallow, protected estuarine marshes, while larger “bull reds” congregate in deeper waters and near inlets.
Three main species of flounder inhabit North Carolina’s waters: Southern, Summer, and Gulf flounder. Southern flounder are most common in estuarine environments, while Summer flounder are frequently found near inlets and in ocean waters. Gulf flounder are less common and typically remain offshore near reefs. Other popular estuarine species include speckled trout (also known as spotted seatrout), often found around grass beds, and Atlantic croaker and spot. Black drum are also present in the Pamlico Sound.
Offshore and Pelagic Fish
Beyond North Carolina’s nearshore waters, the offshore environment provides habitat for larger, often migratory, pelagic fish. The proximity of the Gulf Stream to the Outer Banks creates a productive fishing ground for these species. Tuna, including bluefin, yellowfin, and blackfin varieties, are sought after in these open ocean habitats. Mahi-mahi, also known as dolphin fish, and wahoo are other fast-swimming species commonly found in these offshore waters.
The state’s offshore waters are also home to various shark species. Billfish, including blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish, are a significant draw for deep-sea anglers. Blue marlin are the largest game billfish, while sailfish are generally found closer to shore than marlin. North Carolina’s continental shelf and the influence of the Gulf Stream provide excellent conditions for these powerful, migratory predators.
Fish That Migrate Between Waters
Many fish species in North Carolina migrate between freshwater and saltwater environments during their life cycles. Anadromous fish, such as striped bass, spend most of their adult lives in the ocean but migrate into freshwater rivers to spawn. The Roanoke River is a major spawning ground for striped bass, with adults traveling from the Atlantic Ocean and Albemarle Sound each spring. Various species of shad and river herring also undertake similar anadromous migrations.
Sturgeon include anadromous species like the Atlantic sturgeon and the endangered shortnose sturgeon. Atlantic sturgeon are found in major rivers, with the Roanoke River having a known spawning population, while shortnose sturgeon are present in rivers like the Cape Fear River. Conversely, catadromous species like the American eel follow an opposite pattern, spending most of their lives in freshwater but migrating to the ocean to spawn. These migrations connect disparate aquatic habitats across North Carolina.