White Perch - Species Report

The white perch is one of the temperate basses, related to striped bass and white bass yet smaller in comparison. This species is pursued recreationally and commercially in North Carolina. Other names you may hear for white perch are "narrow-mouthed bass," "silverperch," "blue-nosed perch" and "black perch."

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Atlantic Croaker - Species Report

Atlantic croakers are some of the most frequently caught estuarine and nearshore marine fishes along the eastern coast of the United States. They are seasonally important to both recreational and commercial fisheries and are frequently caught in large numbers from March through October. They derive their common name from the deep croaking sounds created by muscular action on the air bladder.

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Spot - Species Report

Recreational anglers catch more spot in North Carolina than any other fish. Spot is also one of the most commonly caught fish by commercial fishermen using long-haul seines, trawls, pound nets and gill nets. Among all fishermen autumn along the coast is synonymous with runs of large "yellowbelly" spot. Although fairly plentiful almost anytime during the year, spot are especially abundant in the fall, when adults form migrating schools in preparation for spawning. Spot is celebrated table fare and is the theme of a community festival in Hampstead, North Carolina. On fishing piers packed to capacity in October, anglers use bottom rigs baited with shrimp or bloodworms to fill their coolers with these tasty fish.

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Spotted Seatrout - Species Report

Spotted seatrout-also called speckled trout, southern spotted Weakfish or winter trout-may be confused with its close relative, the Weakfish, or gray trout (Cynoscion regalis). However, the spots of the spotted seatrout extend onto the second dorsal fin.

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King Mackerel (kings, kingfish) - Species Report

King mackerel support major commercial and recreational fisheries in North Carolina, where from 1991 to 1995 total combined landings averaged 2.25 million pounds per year. The king mackerel are the largest mackerel in the western Atlantic. Their large size led to the specific name cavalla, derived from the Spanish word for horse. While king mackerel is the accepted common name, they are also known as kings or kingfish. Recreational fishermen consider king mackerel to be a prized catch because of their blistering long runs and tenacious fights.

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