Scup rules in North Carolina
Size, bag and season for recreational scup in North Carolina waters, as published by NC Division of Marine Fisheries.
- Size
- 9" total length minimum
- Bag
- 30 per person per day
- Season
- No closed season
Also on the agency page: North of Cape Hatteras only (Atlantic Ocean 0–3 mi north of 35° 15.3' N). Still listed on DMF size/bag page effective Sept 2, 2026 (9" TL, 30/day).
Stale: this row was last checked Oct 10, 2026, past our 30-day limit. Treat it as history and go to the agency page.
Rules change in season, sometimes by emergency notice. This page summarizes the agency page on the date shown. If this summary and the agency page disagree, the agency page controls.
What to know before you keep one
Scup rules often differ by fishing mode. Shore anglers, for-hire boats and private boats can carry different sizes or bags in the same state.
State water or federal water
North Carolina rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Scup are jointly managed by ASMFC and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Federal recreational measures apply in federal waters. NOAA Fisheries · scup ↗
Across the state line
Rules for the same fish change at the state line. If you run across it or land in the next state, those rules apply.