Blueline Tilefish Regulations in North Carolina (2026)

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

Season

except from May 1 through August 31 each year

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Recreational Blueline Tilefish rules in North Carolina

Where: Waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (ocean)
Season: except from May 1 through August 31 each year

It shall be unlawful to fail to use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks (50 CFR Part §622.2) while fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species while using natural baits as specified in 50 CFR Part §622.
It shall be unlawful to fail to possess a descending device on board which is readily available for use while fishing for or possessing snapper -grouper species as specified in 50 CFR Part §622.188.
Section XIV of proclamation FF-45-2026 (SNAPPER GROUPER COMPLEX – RECREATIONAL – ESTABLISH GAG AND BLACK GROUPER AGGREGATE VESSEL LIMIT - REGULATORY AMENDMENT 36 NEW MANAGEMENT MEASURES).
Subject to aggregate bag limits (Section XVII): XVII. Combined Bag Limits A. It shall be unlawful to possess more than ten (10) of the following species of snappers in the aggregate per person per day when the recreational season for each species is open: silk snapper, blackfin snapper, yellowtail snapper, cubera snapper, queen snapper, gray snapper, mutton snapper and lane snapper. No more than five (5) may be mutton snapper per person per day within the ten (10) fish snapper aggregate. B. It shall be unlawful to possess more than three (3) of the following species of groupers or tilefish in the aggregate per person per day when the recreational season for each species is open: gag grouper, black grouper, snowy grouper, misty grouper, re
XVIII. Harvest Restrictions A. It shall be unlawful to fail to use dehooking tools in the snapper grouper fisheries when the fish is to be released as specified in 50 CFR Part §622.188. B. It shall be unlawful to possess any species of the snapper grouper complex without heads and fins intact as specified in 50 CFR Part §622.186.

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Commercial rules

Show 2 commercial rules

Where: Waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (ocean)
Bag limit: It shall be unlawful to possess more than 100 pounds (gutted weight) of blueline tilefish per trip from January 1 through April 30.; It shall be unlawful to possess more than 300 pounds (gutted weight) of blueline tilefish per trip from May 1 through December 31.

It shall be unlawful to fail to use non -offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks (50 CFR Part §622.2) while fishing for or possessing snapper grouper species while using natural baits as specified in 50 CFR Part §622.188.
It shall be unlawful to fail to possess a descending device on board which is readily available for use while fishing for or possessing snapper grouper species as specified in 50 CFR Part §622.188.
Section XVI (Blueline Tilefish) of proclamation FF-46-2026 (SNAPPER GROUPER COMPLEX – COMMERCIAL – MODIFY BLACK SEA BASS POT STOWAGE REQUIREMENTS – REGULATORY AMENDMENT 36).
It shall be unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or exceed the recreational bag limits of any species of the Snapper-Grouper complex specified in 50 CFR Part §622.187(b) unless the vessel owner has been issued a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit.
For a vessel with both a valid Federal South Atlantic Charter/Headboat Permit for Snapper Grouper and a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit it shall be unlawful to exceed the recreational bag limits for snapper grouper species when fishing with more than four persons (including captain and mate) on board, or when carrying paying customers.
For a vessel with both a valid Federal South Atlantic Charter/Headboat Permit for Snapper Grouper and a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit it shall be unlawful to sell or offer for sale any species of the Snapper Grouper Complex harvested when fishing with more than four persons (including captain and mate) on board or when carrying paying customers.
It shall be unlawful to possess any species of the Snapper Grouper complex except snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, and sand tilefish while having longline gear aboard a vessel during open harvest seasons.
It shall be unlawful to possess any species of the snapper grouper complex without heads and fins intact as specified in 50 CFR Part §622.186.

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Where: Atlantic Ocean north of the North Carolina/Virginia border (ocean)
Bag limit: It shall be unlawful for a commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of people involved, to possess or land more than 500 pounds gutted weight (with head and fins intact) of blueline tilefish, per trip.

It shall be unlawful t o possess golden tilefish or blueline tilefish harvested in the Atlantic Ocean north of the North Carolina/Virginia border without a valid commercial vessel permit to fish for, possess, or land golden tilefish or blueline tilefish for a commercial purpose, in or from the Tilefish Management Unit, pursuant to 50 CFR Part § 648.4(a)(12).
It shall be unlawful for a commercial fishing operation to possess or land golden tilefish in excess of the limits in Section II. unless they are in possession of an IFQ allocation permit, pursuant to 50 CFR Part § 648.294.
Proclamation FF-33-2026: TILEFISH – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN – NORTH OF THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER (effective 12:01 A.M., Monday, July 20, 2026).

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Quick answers

When is blueline tilefish season in North Carolina?

except from May 1 through August 31 each year. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

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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.