Can I Keep?Hard Clam Regulations in North Carolina (2026)
Recreational hard clam 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
1" Thick
Bag limit
100 Clams/Day not to exceed 200 Clams/Vessel/Day
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Hard Clam rules in North Carolina
- Where
- All waters
- Size limit
- 1" Thick
- Bag limit
- 100 Clams/Day not to exceed 200 Clams/Vessel/Day
- (i) Contact DMF to see the most recent DMF shellfish and polluted area proclamations for seasons, areas, or other restrictions. An interactive map of areas closed to the harvest of shellfish due to water quality monitoring by DMF’s Shellfish Sanitation section can be viewed here . Oyster season is October 15 – March 31 unless closed earlier by proclamation.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Internal waters (public bottom) (bays & inshore)
- Size limit
- It shall be unlawful to take, possess, sell, or purchase any clams (except Rangia or freshwater clams) less than one inch thick except in accordance with Rule .0305 of this Secti on.
- Bag limit
- It shall be unlawful to take, land, or possess aboard a vessel more than 6,250 hard clams per commercial fishing operation from public bottom in internal waters.
- 15A NCAC 03K .0302 (http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2015a%20-%20environmental%20quality/chapter%2003%20-%20marine%20fisheries/subchapter%20k/15a%20ncac%2003k%20.0302.pdf): The Fisheries Director may, by proclamation, open and close the season for the taking of clams by mechanical methods from public bottom at any time in the Atlantic Ocean and only from December 1 through March 31 in Internal Waters.
- Size is shell thickness. Mechanical harvest areas/dates are opened by SF proclamation.
Quick answers
What is the hard clam size limit in North Carolina?
1" Thick.
How many hard clam can I keep in North Carolina?
100 Clams/Day not to exceed 200 Clams/Vessel/Day.
Compare Hard Clam limits in other states →
More clams, oysters & scallops 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.