Fishing License Waiver Available to Those in Need

By Heather Canter

Trout season opened at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, and area anglers hit the rivers, streams and creeks early that morning. Some people look at it as a sport, something fun to do with friends and a bonding moment for a mom and dad and the kids.

Still, some can use it as an opportunity to put more food on the table, and thanks to a provision set forth by the General Assembly of North Carolina, those in need can be granted a license waiver for fishing, at no charge.

According to the provision, the Department of Social Services can issue a Resident Subsistence Unified Inland/ Coastal Recreational Fishing License Waiver to an individual who receives benefits from Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services or Work First Family Assistance through the county department of Social Services, and who requests a waiver. The waiver is issued free of charge and gives the holder permission to fish with hook and line for all fish in all inland fishing waters and joint fishing waters, except for public mountain trout waters. The provision also allows waiver holders to participate in recreational fishing in coastal fishing waters.

The Department of Social Services supplies the Wildlife Resources Commission with the name, mailing address and telephone number of each individual who receives the waiver.

For those who are interested in purchasing the Special Trout Fishing License to fish in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters, the price is only $10. The license also allows you to trout fish on game lands.

Individuals may also purchase a State Inland Fishing 10-Day License for $5. This license includes statewide inland fishing during the 10-day period specified on the license. It includes fishing in joint waters but doesn't include fishing in coastal waters.

Annual licenses are also available, and most of the basic licenses are only $20 or less, a small amount when you consider it as extra food for your family.

The State Inland Fishing (basic) license is $15 and includes statewide inland fishing during a license term. It includes fishing in joint waters but doesn't include coastal waters.

The Combination Hunting and Inland Fishing (basic) license is $20 and covers statewide hunting and inland fishing for residents during a license term.

The license also includes fishing in joint waters, but not in coastal waters.

The County Inland Fishing (basic) license covers inland fishing within the county of residence during a license term.

The cost is $10 and includes fishing in joint waters within the county of residence, but not in coastal waters. For $20, the Comprehensive Inland Fishing license gives statewide inland fishing rights for residents during a license term. It includes fishing in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters, fishing in trout waters on game lands and fishing in joint waters, but not in coastal waters.

For more information, click to www.ncwildlife.org or contact a local Wildlife Service Agent.

Local agents include: Buffalo Hunting and Fishing in West Jefferson, (336) 877-3119; Donnelly's Grocery in Zionville, (336) 385-6159; Nathan's Creek General Store in Jefferson, (336) 982-2226; Rivergirl Fishing Company in Todd, (336) 877-3099; WJ Hardware in West Jefferson, (336) 246-3421; and Walmart in West Jefferson, (336) 246-3920.