Hunting & Fishing

Fishing

Fishing is allowed in DuPont State Recreational Forest (DSRF) following the rules defined in the NC Wildlife Regulations Digest. See ncwildlife.org or call 919-707-0010. A valid NC Fishing License is required in order to fish at DSRF. Trout fishermen must possess a special trout fishing license, in addition to the basic fishing license.

DSRF contains five lakes that are classified as inland-public fishing waters. 

All streams at DSRF are classified as wild trout waters with the exception of the delayed harvest section of the Little River and "Little River from 100 yards downstream of Hooker Falls downstream to the DuPont State Forest boundary."

The delayed harvest water is the "confluence of Lake Dense to 100 yards downstream of Hooker Falls." This portion of the river is stocked with trout. Trout caught from Oct. 1 through June 1 must be released. 

Wading is prohibited within 300 feet of the top of waterfalls. DSRF is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and fishing during closed hours is prohibited.

Hunting

DSRF is a part of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission's Game Lands program. Deer, turkey, and small game may be hunted three days per week by hunters holding a valid NC hunting licence and hunting permit, both of which are issued by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC).  Information about weapon types and the annual hunting calendar are available on NCWRC 's website.

Hunting safety zones have been established around waterfalls and other high-use areas, see the map for details. 

Hunting days at DSRF are Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the hunting season calendar set by the NCWRC. All forest visitors are encouraged to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons.  Hunters are especially active at dusk and dawn.

Dates for the year are released in July. For deer, bow hunting typically begins in mid-September with one or two weekends of blackpowder gun hunting in October and three weekends of any weapon hunting (bow, black powder, rifle) for the three weekends following Thanksgiving. There is a limited special opportunity hunt in early September that allows any weapon for disabled hunters.