Fishing at North Carolina state parks can be as easy as checking out a book at the library! Through the Tackle Loaner Program managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, you can give fishing a try without having to buy your own rods, reels, and other gear. TLP is perfect for those who are just starting out, those who may not have the resources to purchase their own equipment, or even those who may have just forgotten their gear at home.
At 11 state parks, you can go to the visitor center or park office to rent out fishing equipment. You must sign up for a TLP ID card to be able to borrow any items — but registration is free and you can do it right there at the park. Just bring your own bait, and you'll have everything you need to catch something at one of our rivers, ponds, or lakes.
To learn more about the sign up process, check out the NCWRC video:
State Parks with the Tackle Loaner Program
| Region | County | Park Name | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Plains | Wayne | Cliffs of the Neuse State Park | 240 Park Entrance Road, Seven Springs |
| Coastal Plains | Bladen | Jones Lake State Park | 4117 N.C. 242 N., Elizabethtown |
| Coastal Plains | Robeson | Lumber River State Park – Princess Ann Access | 2819 Princess Ann Road, Orrum |
| Coastal Plains | Scotland | Lumber River State Park – Chalk Banks Access | 26040 Raeford Road, Wagram |
| Piedmont | Orange | Eno River State Park | 6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham |
| Piedmont | Wake | Falls Lake State Recreation Area | 13304 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest |
| Piedmont | Rockingham | Haw River State Park – The Summit Access | 339 Conference Center Drive, Browns Summit |
| Piedmont | Rockingham | Mayo River State Park | 500 Old Mayo Park Road, Mayodan |
| Piedmont | Stanly | Morrow Mountain State Park | 49104 Morrow Mountain Road, Albemarle |
| Mountains | Ashe | New River State Park – U.S. 221 Access | 358 New River State Park Road, Laurel Springs |
| Mountains | Ashe | New River State Park – Wagoner Access | 1477 Wagoner Access Road, Jefferson |
| Mountains | Burke | South Mountains State Park | 3001 South Mountain Park Ave., Connelly Springs |
| Mountains | Alleghany | Stone Mountain State Park | 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap |
Anglers With Disabilities
Adaptive fishing gear (Velcro reeling system, assistive arm or hand pole holders and grips, wheelchair pole holders) is available at some sites. Please contact the park prior to your visit to confirm if they have the equipment available.
If a park does not have the equipment, you can contact the NCWRC at tackleloaner@ncwildlife.org.