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Blue Crab Regulations in North Carolina (2026)

Recreational blue crab rules in North Carolina saltwater, as published by the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Size limit
5" Carapace Width
Bag limit
50 Crabs/Day not to exceed 100 Crabs per Vessel per Day
Season
UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS from Jan 1-31 North of Highway 58 bridge

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Recreational Blue Crab rules in North Carolina

Where
North of Highway 58 bridge (all waters)
Size limit
5" Carapace Width
Bag limit
50 Crabs/Day not to exceed 100 Crabs per Vessel per Day
Season
UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS from Jan 1-31 North of Highway 58 bridge

Official source

Where
South of the Highway 58 bridge (all waters)
Size limit
5" Carapace Width
Bag limit
50 Crabs/Day not to exceed 100 Crabs per Vessel per Day
Season
UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS from Mar 1-15 South of the Highway 58 bridge

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule
Where
All waters
Size limit
It shall be unlawful to possess more than five percent by number of the following hard blue crabs in any combination in any container: (1) male hard blue crabs less than five inches from tip of spike to tip of spike; (2) immature female hard blue crabs; (3) mature female hard blue crabs less than five inches from tip of spike to tip of spike; and (4) mature female hard blue crabs with a dark (brown or black) sponge from April 1 through April 30 statewide.
Season
It shall be unlawful to possess blue crabs taken from Crab Harvest Management Areas designated in 15A NCAC 03R .0118(1) from January 1 through January 31, except dealers shall have seven days after the beginning of the closure to sell, offer for sale, or transport blue crabs that were taken from this area prior to the closure. It shall be unlawful to possess blue crabs taken from Crab Harvest Management Areas designated in 15A NCAC 03R .0118(2) from March 1 through March 15, except dealers shall have seven days after the beginning of the closure to sell, offer for sale, or transport blue crabs that were taken from this area prior to the closure.
  • It shall be unlawful to: (1) sell white-line peeler crabs; (2) possess white -line peeler crabs unless they are to be used in the harvester's permitted blue crab shedding operation; or (3) possess male white-line peeler crabs from June 1 through September 1. (g) It shall be unlawful to possess more t han 50 blue crabs per person per day, not to exceed 100 blue crabs per vessel per day for recreational purposes.
  • It shall be unlawful to fail to immediately return hard blue crabs not meeting the requirement s of this Rule to the waters from which they were taken.
  • Culling tolerance rule; the Fisheries Director may further restrict commercial harvest by proclamation (15A NCAC 03L .0201(h)). Pot areas/seasons are set by PT proclamations.

Official source

Quick answers

What is the blue crab size limit in North Carolina?

5" Carapace Width (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many blue crab can I keep in North Carolina?

50 Crabs/Day not to exceed 100 Crabs per Vessel per Day (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is blue crab season in North Carolina?

UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS from Jan 1-31 North of Highway 58 bridge. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Blue Crab limits in other states →

More crabs, lobster & shrimp in North Carolina

All North Carolina saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. Most anglers need a North Carolina saltwater license or registry: get one here.