SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) – Grab some bait, a fishing rod, and throw out a line Wednesday in any public body of water in North Carolina for free.

July 4 is your one chance a year to get hooked on fishing at no cost. Everyone can fish in any public body of water, from mountain trout waters to coastal waters without buying a fishing license.

The State Wildlife Commission added more fish in waters across the state, including trout and channel catfish, to give people a better chance of reeling one in.

Even though the day is free, all other fishing regulations still apply – including size and creel limits.

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BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Officials with Brunswick County Animal Services sent a fox, a raccoon and three bats to the state lab to be tested for rabies on Monday.

The fox tested positive for rabies, but the raccoon and bats were negative for the virus, according to a news release from the Health Department.

The fox reportedly attacked a dog on Oak Island. The dog’s owner pushed the fox away and ended up killing the rabid animal. The release said the owner was not bitten or touched by the fox and that the dog was current on its rabies vaccination.

“This is the second confirmed case of rabies on Oak Island,” stated David Stanley, Health Director.  “I warn all citizens in that area to assume any wild animals, including cats, may be infected with rabies and avoid any contact.”

The raccoon, which was also on Oak Island, was handled by several people and died so it was tested as a precaution.

Three bats fell from a chimney when the home owners opened a vent in Shallotte. One bat was dead and another died shortly after the fall. The homeowners tried to feed milk to a baby bat that also fell from the chimney.