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Hogfish Regulations in North Carolina (2026)

Recreational hogfish 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
17 in minimum
Bag limit
2 per person

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Recreational Hogfish 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 hogfish less than 17 inches fork length.
Bag limit
It shall be unlawful to possess more than two (2) hogfish per person per day.

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 hogfish less than 17 inches fork length.
Bag limit
It shall be unlawful to possess more than 500 pounds (whole weight) of hogfish per trip.
  • 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 IX (Hogfish (hog snapper)) 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 hogfish size limit in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess hogfish less than 17 inches fork length..

How many hogfish can I keep in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess more than two (2) hogfish per person per day..

Compare Hogfish limits in other states →

More reef fish 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.