Pay lakes in North Carolina
North Carolina has 46 pay lakes; 10 stock trout; most charge $10 to $15 a day; 2 charge by the pound.
Find a pay lake in North Carolina by name or town
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Pay lakes by city in North Carolina
Do you need a fishing license at a pay lake in North Carolina?
Usually not. Anglers at an NCDA&CS-licensed commercial catchout (fee fishing) pond need no NC fishing or trout license; separately, true private ponds (single tract, no fish exchange with public waters) are outside the waters where licenses apply.
North Carolina licenses pay lakes through its Commercial Catchout Facility license / 5-year Fee Fishing License (N.C.G.S. § 106-761(e)), run by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), Marketing Division - Aquaculture (license); NC Wildlife Resources Commission (angler licensing). The license rule depends on the lake holding that state license, so ask the lake if you are unsure.
"No fishing, special trout, or other license shall be required of anglers fishing in licensed commercial catchout facilities."
Source: N.C.G.S. § 106-761(e)(5), checked November 2026. Compare every state on our pay lake license rules page.
More pay lake states
Browse catfish pay lakes, trout pay ponds or see what pay lakes cost.