Cobia Regulations in North Carolina (2026)

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

Size limit

36 in minimum

Bag limit

1 per person

Season

The season for the recreational harvest of cobia will be May 1, 2026…

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Cobia rules in North Carolina

Where: Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters (all waters)
Size limit: It shall be unlawful to possess for a recreational purpose cobia less than 36 inches fork length.
Bag limit: It shall be unlawful to possess for a recreational purpose more than one (1) cobia per person per day
Possession: From May 1 – June 30, it shall be unlawful to possess more than two (2) cobia per vessel per day if two or more persons are onboard or one (1) cobia per person per day, if there is only one person on board. From July 1 – December 31, it shall be unlawful to possess more than one (1) cobia per vessel per day. From May 1 – December 31, it shall be unlawful to possess more than four (4) cobia per vessel per day or (1) cobia per person per day, if fewer than four (4) people are on board.
Season: The season for the recreational harvest of cobia will be May 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026. It shall be unlawful to possess cobia outside of this season.

Values from proclamation FF-4-2026 (COBIA – COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL – COASTAL AND JOINT FISHING WATERS), which the size and bag limits page references for cobia.
From May 1 – June 30, it shall be unlawful to possess more than two (2) cobia per vessel per day if two or more persons are onboard or one (1) cobia per person per day, if there is only one person on board.
From July 1 – December 31, it shall be unlawful to possess more than one (1) cobia per vessel per day.
From May 1 – December 31, it shall be unlawful to possess more than four (4) cobia per vessel per day or (1) cobia per person per day, if fewer than four (4) people are on board.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule

Where: Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters (all waters)
Size limit: It shall be unlawful to possess cobia less than 36 inches fork length in a commercial operation.
Bag limit: It shall be unlawful to possess more than two (2) cobia per person per day or six (6) per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive in a commercial operation.; It shall be unlawful to possess a commercial and recreational limit of cobia on the same vessel.
Season: This proclamation opens the commercial cobia fishery beginning at 12:01 A.M. on January 1, 2026. The commercial fishery will close by proclamation once the quota is met or projected to be met, or December 31, 2026, whichever occurs first.

Proclamation FF-4-2026: COBIA – COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL – COASTAL AND JOINT FISHING WATERS (effective 12:01 A.M., January 1, 2026).

Official source

Quick answers

What is the cobia size limit in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess for a recreational purpose cobia less than 36 inches fork length..

How many cobia can I keep in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess for a recreational purpose more than one (1) cobia per person per day.

When is cobia season in North Carolina?

The season for the recreational harvest of cobia will be May 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026. It shall be unlawful to possess cobia outside of this season.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Cobia limits in other states →

More offshore & pelagic 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.