July 4th is always Free Fishing Day in North Carolina. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has announced that it will be taking place again in 2023.
Check out a huge list of 4th of July fireworks, parades and celebrations in the Charlotte area.
On Free Fishing Day, everyone in North Carolina, including visitors, can fish in any public body of water without the need for a license.
Use this fishing map to find public fishing spots. Make sure to check the box to indicate which kind of fishing access you want to filter for.
There are many public fishing areas in the Charlotte area, including Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, McAlpine Creek Park, Spencer Park, and a whole slew of them along Lake Norman.
If you don’t own fishing gear, you can still participate. Many fishing sites across the state participate in the Tackle Loaner Program, in which you can check out a rod and reel.
Make sure to check with the facility in advance if you need to use the Tackle Loaner Program, to make sure it’s open.
Kids under age 16 participating in the Tackle Loaner Program for the first time will receive a free mini-tackle box containing hooks, bobbers, sinkers, and a stringer when they return the gear.
Charlotte area sites that participate in the Tackle Loaner Program include:
- Camp TN Spencer, Cabarrus County
- Frank Liske Park Office, Cabarrus County
- Broad River Greenway, Cleveland County
- Dallas Park, Gaston County
- Rankin Lake Park, Gaston County
- Latta Nature Preserve, Mecklenburg County
- McDowell Nature Preserve, Mecklenburg County
- Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, Mecklenburg County
- Matthews Community Center (for use on Squirrel Lake), Mecklenburg County
- Cane Creek Lake Marina, Union County
Kids under age 16 participating in the Tackle Loaner Program for the first time will receive a free mini-tackle box containing hooks, bobbers, sinkers, and a stringer when they return the gear.
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More July 4th events in the Charlotte area
Check out our list of 4th of July events around Charlotte, or see some of them here:
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