Greater Amberjack Regulations in North Carolina (2026)

Recreational greater amberjack 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

28 in minimum

Bag limit

1 per person

Season

It shall be unlawful to possess greater amberjack taken from waters…

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Recreational Greater Amberjack rules in North Carolina

Where: Waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (ocean)
Size limit: It shall be unlawful to possess greater amberjack less than 28 inches fork length.
Bag limit: It shall be unlawful to possess more than one (1) greater amberjack per person per day.
Season: It shall be unlawful to possess greater amberjack taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from April 1 through April 30 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 IV of proclamation FF-45-2026 (SNAPPER GROUPER COMPLEX – RECREATIONAL – ESTABLISH GAG AND BLACK GROUPER AGGREGATE VESSEL LIMIT - REGULATORY AMENDMENT 36 NEW MANAGEMENT MEASURES).
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.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule

Where: Waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (ocean)
Size limit: It shall be unlawful to possess a greater amberjack less than 34 inches fork length.
Bag limit: It shall be unlawful to possess more than 1,200 pounds (whole or gutted weight) of greater amberjack per trip.
Season: It shall be unlawful to possess, purchase, sell, or offer for sale greater amberjack taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from April 1 through April 30.

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 V (Greater Amberjack) 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.

Official source

Quick answers

What is the greater amberjack size limit in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess greater amberjack less than 28 inches fork length..

How many greater amberjack can I keep in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess more than one (1) greater amberjack per person per day..

When is greater amberjack season in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess greater amberjack taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from April 1 through April 30 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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Source: NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. Most anglers need a North Carolina saltwater license or registry: get one here.