General Information North Carolina, the Tar Heel State, has 48,718 square miles, with 301 miles of shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean. The state can be divided into three distinct topographical regions: the Coastal Plain, consisting of beaches and forested areas; the Piedmont Plateau with its farms and cityscapes; and the Appalachian Mountain chain, featuring 200 mountains with elevations of over 5,000 feet. With over three million acres of national forest land and generous water resources, North Carolina offers the sportsman diverse and rich opportunities. Capital City: Raleigh Largest City: Clarlotte National Parks and Forests: Cape Hatteras National Seashore Great Smoky Mountain National Park Sport Fishing North Carolina offers an incredible variety of fishing opportunities, both freshwater and saltwater. Inland waters include blackwater swamp streams, mountain trout rivers, reservoirs, farm ponds, and coastal plains waters. Trout is king here, and other freshwater species include largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, striped bass, bluegill, crappie, sunfish, pickerel, shad, and yellow perch. On the Sounds and Outer Banks saltwater fishing is exciting, with such sporting species as marlin, red drum, tarpon, cobia, pompano, sheepshead, hogfish, flounder, mackerel, and many others. For information on licensing, seasons, limits, rules and regulations, please visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website.