Striped bass rules in North Carolina
Size, bag and season for recreational striped bass in North Carolina waters, as published by NC Division of Marine Fisheries.
- Size
- 28"–31" total length (slot) — Atlantic Ocean
- Bag
- 1 fish per person per day — Atlantic Ocean
- Season
- Atlantic Ocean (0–3 mi): open year-round
Also on the agency page: Area-dependent. Atlantic Ocean: 28–31" slot, 1/day, year-round; non-stainless, non-offset (inline) circle hook required with natural bait; unlawful to gig, spear or gaff (FF-25-2023 REVISED). DMF size/bag page (effective Sept 2, 2026) lists inside waters as 'UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS (A)': Albemarle Sound Management Area 'SEASON CURRENTLY CLOSED'; Central Southern Management Area unlawful to possess (separate limited spring openings in portions of Tar-Pamlico/Neuse are set by proclamation, e.g. FF-19-2026). Harvest must be reported to DMF.
This rule has area, mode or permit conditions that do not fit in a summary. Read the agency page before you keep a fish.
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
Striped bass rules along the coast are built around a slot. A fish below the minimum or above the maximum goes back, so a measuring device on board is part of the rig.
State water or federal water
North Carolina rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Possession of striped bass is prohibited in federal waters (the EEZ, beyond 3 nautical miles). Fishing for them there is also prohibited. Only state waters can be fished. 50 CFR Part 697 · eCFR ↗
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.
| State | Size | Bag | Status as of Oct 13, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Chesapeake Bay: 19"–24" (slot); Atlantic/Coastal Bays: 28"–31" (slot) | 1 fish per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 · Open in part from Dec 6 |
| Virginia | Coastal: 28"–31" (slot); Chesapeake Bay: 19"–24" (slot) | 1 fish per person | Openas of Oct 13 |
| North Carolina | 28"–31" total length (slot) — Atlantic Ocean | 1 fish per person per day — Atlantic Ocean | Openas of Oct 13 |
| South Carolina | 26" total length minimum | 3 per person per day (Oct 1–June 15) | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Georgia | 22" total length minimum (saltwater); 27" TL in Savannah River | 2 per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 |