LivewellNorth Carolina · Brunswick County · River
Cape Fear River 3
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Cape Fear River 3, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: Arsenic, Hexavalent chromium, Mercury
North Carolina also has statewide guidance
North Carolina publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 16 recommendations covering 8 species — in addition to anything listed for Cape Fear River 3 below.
Strictest statewide rule: Black Crappie — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Cape Fear River 3
Bluegill
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Chromium. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Chromium. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Bowfin
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated Arsenic, Chromium and Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Arsenic, Chromium and Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated Arsenic, Chromium and Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Arsenic, Chromium and Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Is it legal to keep?
These are North Carolina's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 30" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | — | 8 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: North Carolina — North Carolina WRC