The price of fishing and hunting licenses in North Carolina will increase between 18% and 19% starting July 1.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) announced these fee adjustments, attributing them to the rise in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

“The fee increase will help the agency address funding issues related to increased operating costs exacerbated by inflation, increased demand for agency services, and stagnant state appropriations,” stated the NCWRC and the Division of Marine Fisheries.

The agency explained, “Revenue from the proposed increase will better equip the NCWRC to meet the demands on its operating budget and the rising cost of employee salaries and benefits, which have increased by about $5.6 million per year since the last fee increase in January 2020.”

The Wildlife Resources Commission members approved these changes in April.

Key License Increases for the Outer Banks

The increases for popular licenses sold on the Outer Banks include:

• Annual Resident Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $16 to $19
• Annual Nonresident Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $32 to $38
• Ten-Day Resident Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $6 to $8
• Ten-Day Nonresident Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $11 to $14
• Infant Lifetime Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $106 to $126
• Youth Lifetime Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $159 to $189
• Resident Adult Lifetime Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $265 to $315
• Nonresident Adult Lifetime Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $530 to $630
• Resident Age 70+ Lifetime Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $16 to $19
• Resident Disabled Veteran Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $11 to $14
• Resident Totally Disabled Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $11 to $14
• Resident Unified Sportsman/Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $69 to $82
• Resident Annual Sportsman License: $53 to $63
• Infant Lifetime Unified Sportsman/Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $292 to $347
• Youth Lifetime Unified Sportsman/Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $477 to $567
• Resident Adult Lifetime Unified Sportsman/Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $716 to $851
• Nonresident Adult Lifetime Unified Sportsman/Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $1,643 to $1,952
• Resident Lifetime Unified Inland/Coastal Recreational Fishing License: $477 to $567

To purchase a license, visit gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com or a Wildlife Service Agent.