Sunken vessels, aircrafts, train boxcars and old bridges are all underwater treasures located along North Carolina’s coast, strategically situated to promote fishing opportunities. The NC Division of Marine Fisheries Artificial Reef Guide will show you where to find them.
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries maintains 43 ocean artificial reefs and 25 estuarine reefs, 14 of which serve as oyster sanctuaries.
Ocean reefs are located from less than a mile to 38 miles from shore and are situated so that they can be reached from every maintained inlet in the state.
The estuarine sites are found in Pamlico Sound and its tributaries, Bogue Sound, the New River, and the Cape Fear River.
Estuarine reefs are marked on each corner with 13-inch diameter white buoys or three-pile dolphin marker.
Click here to view the online version of the guide. You can even download an Artificial Reef Guide in pdf format to print out and take with you on your boat!
