Pea Island

September 2004 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 1969 Manteo, NC 27954 252/473 1131 http://peaisland.fws. gov e-mail: peaisland@fws.gov Please cut along this line. Driver’s Signature Date This special parking permit is only valid when it has been signed and dated by the driver of this vehicle. September 15 -May 31 In compliance with all conditions of the permit and with all Refuge, Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations, during the following times: Nighttime Surf Fishing (recreational only) The owner, driver, or passenger of this vehicle is permitted to access the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Dare County, North Carolina for the following purpose: SPECIAL PARKING PERMIT Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Nighttime Surf Fishing Permit & Regulations Refuge Nighttime Surf Fishing (recreational ONLY) Permit and Regulations Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Name Address City State Zip This card, when signed and in your possession, will serve as a refuge nighttime fishing permit and acknowledges that you have read and understand the regulations contained in this leaflet. This permit is not transferable and is only valid if signed and dated by you. Signed Date This permit is valid from September 15 - May 31. Introduction Surf and sound fishing are popular activities for many visitors to Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Surf or sound anglers may take home a catch of speckled and gray trout, spot, flounder, bluefish, red drum or striped bass. All State and Federal regulations and limits apply. Please check regulations for what is in season and creel limits. ■ ■ Because title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulation states that Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is open only during daylight hours, a permit is required to access the beach at night for fishing. When used according to directions, this leaflet provides all the information needed to gain legal access for night fishing. Read all information carefully, then sign and date the permit section on the front. 2. The catwalk on Bonner Bridge and 3. The New Inlet parking lot. (Nighttime parking at New Inlet is allowed only for fishing access.) ■ Driving of any motorized vehicle on the beach is prohibited. Camping on the refuge is prohibited. ■ Parking in any of the designated public parking lots is recommended. Overnight parking in the refuge visitor center parking lot is not permitted (nighttime use is restricted to the traveling public for use of the public restrooms or pay telephone). Parking, in a safe and proper manner, is permitted anywhere on the unpaved road shoulders of NC Highway 12; however, it is not recommended. Nighttime Surf Fishing Regulations ■ All nighttime surf fishing anglers must carry on their person a signed and dated permit. ■ ■ ■ Recreational surf fishing during nighttime hours (1/ 2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise) is the only authorized use under this permit. Camping, littering, fires, cooking, shell collecting, beach combing, swimming, surfing, and other activities are not permitted. Commercial fishing is not authorized under this permit. This permit is valid only from September 15 through May 31. From June 1 through September 14, all refuge beaches are closed to nighttime fishing. When parking a vehicle on the refuge during nighttime hours, the driver of the vehicle shall display a signed and dated Special Parking Permit. ■ ■ ■ Oregon Inlet Bonner Bridge A refuge permit is not required for nighttime parking or access to the following areas: 1. The parking lot, adjacent to the Oregon Inlet on the north end of the refuge The almost 13 miles of pristine beach on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge provides excellent opportunities for wildlife observation, swimming, surfing, shelling, sunbathing, surf fishing, or just strolling in the fresh ocean breeze. But, remember, national wildlife refuges are for Wildlife First. While fishing, wildlife observation, photography and other wildlife-dependent recreation are encouraged on the refuge, these activities must be scheduled around the needs of wildlife. For this reason, you may see refuge signs occasionally that close areas to all public entry. Your respect for these signs and the messages they communicate will help protect nesting areas for sea turtles and shorebirds. These signs are also used to keep visitors away from unsafe areas. This permit only authorizes access to the beach area east of NC Highway (see map). Do not enter or walk across any “Closed Areas.” The use of battery-powered or propane fueled artificial lights, lanterns, and chemical “light sticks” is permitted. The use of gasoline-fueled lanterns is prohibited because of the potential for accidental fuel spills. Artificial light devices shall not exceed 50,000 candle power. Artificial lights shall only be used to support safe surf fishing activities (such as going to and from a parked vehicle or lighting the immediate fishing area.) Artificial lights shall not be used to locate or observe any other wildlife species (crabs, roosting shorebirds, sea turtles, etc.) Recreational nighttime surf fishing shall only be conducted in accordance with all Federal, State, Refuge and local laws and regulations. NC 12 This blue goose, designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, has become a symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System. North Pond Refuge Visitor Center (parking lot & public restrooms) Pamlico Sound New Field Pond Hashed area closed to all public entry South Pond Old Refuge Headquarters (closed to all entry) New Inlet Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Atlantic Ocean Refuge property Refuge area open to nighttime surf fishing September 15-May 31 Closed to all public entry Rodanthe Parking