Mattamuskeet

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service The minimum length limit for blue crabs is 5-inches carapace width (point-to-point). Mattamuskeet Crabs caught on Mattamuskeet NWR are for personal use only and may not be sold. National Wildlife Refuge Sport Fishing Regulations Prohibited Activities n Airboats, sailboats, jet skis, and windboards n Camping n Commercial Use n Fires n Fireworks n Herring dipping n Leaving boats on the Refuge overnight n Littering - this includes not removing crab lines n Off road driving/ATV’s, UTV’s, FourWheelers, etc. n Swimming n Taking, removing, disturbing or possessing wildlife and plants n Taking/possessing reptiles and amphibians n Use of trot lines, set lines, limb lines, or jug lines Motorized and nonmotorized fishing boats, canoes and kayaks are only permitted on the Refuge from March 1 through October 31. The Refuge is closed to all boating the rest of the year. The Refuge is open during daylight hours. Please stay at least 50 yards away from osprey nests. This is especially critical during the active nesting season (generally between March 1 and August 1). Osprey nesting success is susceptible to human disturbance. Please report any disturbance or harassment, or other violations you see to Refuge personnel. General fishing regulations and special regulations are codified in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 32. If you have any questions regarding activities on the Refuge please contact the refuge manager at 252/926 4021. Please be courteous to other refuge visitors. March 2020 The Refuge speed limit is 25 m.p.h. unless otherwise posted. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD Fishermen and crabbers using the Refuge are subject to inspections of licenses, equipment, creel limits, vehicles and contents during compliance checks by refuge and state officers. Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge 85 Mattamuskeet Road Swan Quarter, NC 27885 252/926 4021 https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mattamuskeet Other Do not feed the wildlife. To Columbia NORTH CAROLINA Mattamuskeet 94 Fairfield Lake Rd. s Rd . North Jarvis Canal National Wildlife Refuge Piney Wood ppin upo a W al Can 264 LAKE MATTAMUSKEET No. 1 East Canal GREAT ISLAND Rose Bay Canal Turnpike Rd. tM ain Ca Wildlife Drive Swindell Fork ain M ast na l Miles 0 2 C E N ter 264 New Holland l tfa Levee Canal Refuge boundary 2 al an Legend Kilos lC 0 Lake Landing Canal l a an Ou Sw To an ar Qu Central Canal We s To Engelhard Regulations Fishing will be in accordance with all applicable state regulations subject to the following conditions: Water Sport fishing, bow fishing and crabbing are permitted from Boat ramp March 1 through October 31 from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise Refuge headquarters to 1/2 hour after legal sunset, with the following exceptions: Bank fishing and crabbing are permitted year-round in these areas: n from Highway 94 (only area where fishing and crabbing are permitted 24 hours per day) n from and south of the northern most bridge at Lake Landing Canal from the Outfall Canal water control structure n from the Central Canal bridge n along West Main and East Main Canals between the Entrance Road Bridge and Number 1 East Canal as posted n from the Rose Bay Canal boat ramp dock Bank fishing and crabbing are prohibited along the Entrance Road from Highway 94 to the Entrance Road bridge and along the Wildlife Drive from Entrance Road to Highway 94. Reminder State fishing license requirements apply. Inland game fish may be taken only with a hook and line. State size and creel limits apply. All fishing and crabbing lines must be attended. Fish caught on Mattamuskeet NWR are for personal use only and may not be sold. n Crabbing The appropriate state inland (freshwater) fishing license is required to crab on Mattamuskeet NWR. Only five hand lines and/or hand-activated traps per person are permitted. Crab pots are prohibited. The take/ possession limit is 12 blue crabs per person per day.