North Carolina Spring Fish Runs, River by River

On the Tar and Cape Fear rivers, in spring. That timing comes from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The day each year follows the water: the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission puts the American shad spawn at 60 to 65°F.

On the Roanoke River, usually in late February through April. On the Tar River, usually in late February through April, going by the Roanoke River run. That timing comes from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The day each year follows the water: the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission puts the hickory shad spawn at 52 to 58°F.

On the Roanoke River, usually in March through May. That timing comes from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The day each year follows the water: the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission says striped bass spawn once it reaches about 62°F.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission gives 60 to 65°F for American shad, the figure each North Carolina verdict reads the water against. Water inside that range means the spawn can be on; within 5°F below it, the run is getting close.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission gives 52 to 58°F for the run on the Roanoke River and 58 to 62°F for the run on the Tar River. Water inside that range means the spawn can be on; within 5°F below it, the run is getting close.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission names Weldon and Williamston on the Roanoke River; Bell’s Bridge and Battle Park on the Tar River; and Tarheel, Elizabethtown and Riegelwood on the Cape Fear River.

A USGS gauge on the Roanoke River reports the water temperature through the day. Each run card sets the latest reading against the spawning temperature: more than 5°F below the spawning temperature is Not yet, within 5°F is Getting close, inside the range is On, and above it late in the run is Winding down. The other runs follow their usual months.

No. The months are the usual window, and the water sets the day: a cold spring holds a run back, and a warm one brings it forward. In North Carolina, the gauge readings on the run cards show where the water stands now.