i didn't put this in the fishing thread because if you're affected by this, then you probably don't read that thread

July 4 is a free fishing day. no fishing license required. all other regulations apply. it's a chance to try fishing w/o having to worry about getting smacked w/ a no license ticket.

holler if you need some tips on where to go, what to do, etc.

Quote :

"RALEIGH, N.C. (June 22, 2009) – On July 4 from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., anyone—resident and non-resident—can fish in any public water in North Carolina, including coastal waters, without the purchase of a fishing license or trout privilege license. All other fishing regulations, such as fish length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions and park-use fees, apply. Authorized by the N.C. General Assembly and started in 1994, North Carolina’s annual free fishing day, which always falls on July 4, was created to encourage people to go fishing and promote North Carolina’s vast aquatic resources. “Even with the cost of fishing licenses, fishing is a relatively inexpensive family pastime that can be enjoyed year-round by children and adults,” said Kyle Briggs, a fisheries program manager with the Commission. There is no shortage of places where anglers of all ages can go to reel in a variety of fish — from largemouth bass and catfish in coastal rivers to striped bass, crappie and sunfish in Piedmont reservoirs to trout and smallmouth bass in cool, mountain streams. To make finding a spot to fish easier, the Commission provides a list of free fishing-access areas across the state. The agency’s Public Fishing Areas offer free access from the banks of many streams, rivers and ponds across the state. Staff maintain these areas by clearing banks of underbrush, and in some cases, by constructing universally accessible fishing piers and graveled or paved parking lots, installing fish attractors, or baiting the areas with fish feed. The agency also works with local governments to provide fishing opportunities in urban areas through a Community Fishing Program. These sites typically feature solar-powered fish feeders, universally-accessible piers and periodic stockings of harvestable-sized channel catfish from April through September. The Commission currently has more than 40 sites in the program, with more being added each year. Some of these sites even have loaner rods and reels that anglers can borrow for the day on a first-come, first-serve basis. Through the Commission’s Tackle Loaner Program, anglers can check out a fishing rod and reel in much the same way they check out a library book. They receive a Tackle Loaner card, which is good at all tackle-loaner sites across the state, although the rods and reels must be returned to the location where they were borrowed. Anglers age 15 and younger who register for the Tackle Loaner Program for the first time receive a mini tackle box filled with hooks, fishing line, a bobber, a stringer — all the necessary components of a successful fishing trip. North Carolina residents age 16 and older who are interested in fishing the remaining 364 days of the year can purchase a one-year comprehensive inland fishing license, which includes public trout waters, for $20. A one-year license to fish in coastal waters is $15; to fish in inland, including public trout waters, and coastal waters, a unified license is $35 and is valid for one year from purchase date. To purchase a license: Call the Wildlife Resources Commission at 1 (888) 248-6834. Hours of operation are: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week; Click here. Visit a local Wildlife Service Agent. Most are located in bait-and-tackle shops, hunting and sporting good stores and larger chain stores. Click here for a list of all public fishing areas, Community Fishing Program sites and Tackle Loaner Program sites; or call the Division of Inland Fisheries, (919) 707-0220. "

go to http://www.ncwildlife.org/ and there's a link on the front page. can't link directly to the article.

6/24/2009 3:05:13 PM

sweet I've been wanting to fish for the past 6 years but I couldn't afford a license

Now is my time to shine

6/24/2009 3:06:43 PM

you need a license to fish?

...

i don't know if I'm showing my ignorance or libertarian side more

6/24/2009 3:07:09 PM

Shine?

Cause I'm greasy?

Cause I'm black, right?

6/24/2009 3:07:32 PM

yeah, it's just a tax to pay for the public facilities like boat ramps and the research they do in order to maintain healthy fisheries

they make it a fishing license so that only the folks who use the resource are taxed

gotta have one to hunt as well. i got $500 lifetime licenses for christmas when i was 16. covers hunting, fishing, everything, which is usually $40 /yr (or even more now that there's a saltwater fishing license requirement).

*the more you know*

6/24/2009 3:15:59 PM

if I wanted to buy my kid a lifetime license when they are born how much would I have to pay? I heard it was cheaper if you buy one when they are born...

6/24/2009 3:18:15 PM

it was $100 if you get it before his/her 1st bday

not sure now...lemme check

6/24/2009 3:21:21 PM

parents bought my lifetime sportsman license for my 1st birthday

my mom asked my dad what he would do if we (my twin and I) didnt like to hunt and fish, he told her he would know that we werent his kids lol


best bday present ever

6/24/2009 3:23:26 PM

http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_01_license.htm

Sportsman (under age 1): Statewide hunting and inland fishing. Includes hunting for big game, hunting on game lands, hunting for waterfowl (does not include federal duck stamp), fishing in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters, fishing in trout waters on game lands, and fishing in joint waters. It does not include fishing in coastal waters.

$200

Unified Infant Sportsman/Coastal Recreational Fishing (under age 1):Statewide hunting, inland and coastal recreational fishing. Includes hunting for big game, hunting on game lands, hunting for waterfowl (does not include federal duck stamp), fishing in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters, fishing in trout waters on game lands, and fishing in joint waters.

$275

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 3:24 PM. Reason : the prices go up from 1yo-11yo and then 12+ is full price. the site explains them all.]

6/24/2009 3:23:57 PM

yeah I'm thinking I'm gonna do that at some point. Even though I dont ever hunt and cant get around to fish as much as I used it, it would still be a nice thing for them to have just to have.

especially if its only around $100

6/24/2009 3:24:58 PM

girl, imma give you a duck stamp


o<

6/24/2009 3:25:40 PM

it pays for itself very quickly

the kid can fish off his/her parent's until he/she turns 16, then they need their own

6/24/2009 3:25:51 PM

but the point is, on july 4th, you don't need it

yay

6/24/2009 3:26:21 PM

are you going to ask for a 1/365th discount off your annual license cost

6/24/2009 3:27:12 PM

i don't have an annual license cost

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM. Reason : MY DAD GAVE ME THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME OF FISHING ]

6/24/2009 3:27:31 PM

ha. i actually have a fishing license and i might go fishing on the day i don't need one.

<---- pwnt!

6/24/2009 3:28:42 PM

What happens if you get caught fishing with no license ?

slap on the wrist, or fire and brimstone ?

6/24/2009 3:32:12 PM

at the most you probably get some citation

at the least a slap on the wrist

6/24/2009 3:33:08 PM

they give you a fine

i forget how much

6/24/2009 3:34:41 PM

Anal rape with a broomstick

6/24/2009 3:34:51 PM

you can also get 10 day fishing licenses (you choose inland or coastal) for $5

6/24/2009 3:35:45 PM

I don't think it's ever just a slap on the wrist but the fines vary by state. They take that shit seriously.

6/24/2009 3:36:40 PM

Can I drink on my boat ?

Can I play rap music hella loud ?

Can I dispose of raw human waste ?

6/24/2009 3:36:54 PM

if i cant pee off the boat count me out

6/24/2009 3:38:39 PM

drinking on boats is fine

you're still gonna be limited by any local noise ordinances and technically pissing and shitting is illegal, but i do it all the time

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 3:39 PM. Reason : peeing off the side of a canoe from your knees is tricky]

6/24/2009 3:38:46 PM

I like to hang off the boat grabbing pilgrimshoes arms for support as I drop bombs into the water below

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 3:40 PM. Reason : sometimes he lets me go and I fall into my own dookie below...that tricky bastard !]

6/24/2009 3:39:26 PM

reason number 3 why sf and i are poo cousins

6/24/2009 3:40:13 PM

Quote :

"No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device while under the influence of an impairing substance, nor operate any motor vessel after consuming alcohol sufficient to cause a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater."

but there's no open container laws on the water, of course

6/24/2009 3:40:28 PM

that's horseshit that i cant surf stoned or drunk

6/24/2009 3:41:11 PM

I would imagine I'd have to get preeeeeeeeetty fucked up to enjoy fishing

Peppermint Schnapps oughtta do the trick

6/24/2009 3:41:36 PM

you can get as drunk as you want as long as you ain't driving the boat

6/24/2009 3:42:16 PM

oh I'd drive

don't take my keys when the party's over

I drive better drunk that you do sober

6/24/2009 3:43:37 PM

I've had my lifetime license since i was born. It definitely has paid for itself many times over. It's so nice to get that email every june, make 3 clicks, and have my yearly license and big game card mailed to me. Totally worth it for a boy or a girl.


Now my question is....I've had mine for almost 25 years so i'm not sure if i'm covered on the coastal waters portion as I believe that was ammended more recently. Is there any way to check, or know if i'm grandfathered in?

6/24/2009 3:43:44 PM

they grandfathered all lifetime license holders



[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 3:44 PM. Reason : you got sportsman, right? (hunting and fishing)]

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 3:45 PM. Reason : well duh, you mentioned BGRC]

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 3:46 PM. Reason : ITT, NRR answers questions to which the answers are buried on the NCWRC's shitty website]

6/24/2009 3:44:24 PM

It's July 4th and a Saturday....You couldn't pay me to fish on public waters then.

6/24/2009 3:52:59 PM

you just don't know any good spots, then

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 3:54 PM. Reason : ]

6/24/2009 3:54:03 PM

Quote :

"ITT, NRR answers questions to which the answers are buried on the NCWRC's shitty website"

no kidding, i was just on there looking before i asked you and i still haven't found it on their website.

I notice it doesn't mention coastal fishing on my license that expires this month. Is this just something known/understood by wildlife officers when they see the lifetime note on your license?

6/24/2009 3:58:03 PM

don't you have the brown plastic card?

6/24/2009 3:59:30 PM

i do, but i keep it in my safe deposit box.


but they send me a paper one every july1st that expires every june1st

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 4:00 PM. Reason : add]

6/24/2009 4:00:12 PM

i would tote it w/ me

if you lose it, you can get another one easily

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 4:00 PM. Reason : i got a friend who breaks his regularly]

6/24/2009 4:00:36 PM

probably not a bad idea

6/24/2009 4:01:04 PM

the paper one should be sufficient, but whenever i'm checked, i flash that brown one and they give me a lot more respect

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 4:01 PM. Reason : and that sounds really perverted, but i'll leave it]

6/24/2009 4:01:33 PM

Quote :

"that's horseshit that i cant surf stoned or drunk"

Agreed.

Quote :

"you can get as drunk as you want as long as you ain't driving the boat"

Well... it says:"No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device while under the influence of an impairing substance"

6/24/2009 4:01:56 PM

I'd rather have a License to Ill than a license to fish

6/24/2009 4:02:26 PM

don't get stupid and you won't have any problems

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM. Reason : don't turn this into a argument about laws. the ncwrc is doing something decent.]

6/24/2009 4:02:33 PM

upon further reading..it looks as if the paper one is only my yearly HIP certification/ Big Game card.

Thus I will be pulling out my brown card and carrying it from now on.

6/24/2009 4:03:14 PM

Quote :

"It's free fishing day, July 4th and a Saturday....You couldn't pay me to fish on public waters then."

6/24/2009 4:03:22 PM

actually, the free fishing day part doesn't increase the numbers of folks fishing significantly. no one knows about it.

6/24/2009 4:04:23 PM

Quote :

"don't get stupid and you won't have any problems"

Yeah right.
Supposedly that works for avoiding pot charges, too... (It doesn't work.)

Either you are, or you aren't, for the rule of law. (I'm not.... not with these laws, anyways...)

Quote :

"don't turn this into a argument about laws."

too late, I was already typing before you edited to say that.

Quote :

"the ncwrc is doing something decent"

Yes. And they're also doing something indecent.

[Edited on June 24, 2009 at 4:07 PM. Reason : ]

6/24/2009 4:06:36 PM

Quote :

"the paper one should be sufficient, but whenever i'm checked, i flash that brown one and they give me a lot more respect "

I've had a warden run my plates before....He gave me the stern lecture and said he'd mail a ticket to my address if he couldn't find evidence of the license, but I guess he could've slapped me with a $100+ ticket and/or made me hike the 3 miles back to my truck to get it.

6/24/2009 4:08:13 PM