Can I Keep? Open the app

Scup Regulations in North Carolina (2026)

Recreational scup 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
9" TL
Bag limit
30/Day

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Scup rules in North Carolina

Where
North of Cape Hatteras (all waters)
Size limit
9" TL
Bag limit
30/Day

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule
Where
North of Cape Hatteras (ocean)
Size limit
It shall be unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell or offer for sale scup less than 9 inches total length.
Bag limit
It shall be unlawful to possess, sell or offer for sale more than 12,000 pounds of scup per trip during the Winter II commercial harvest period, ending at 6:00 P.M., December 31, 2026, or once the quota is reached, whichever occurs first.
Season
This commercial harvest period will close at 6:00 P.M., December 31, 2026, or once the quota is reached, whichever occurs first.
  • It is unlawful to use roller rig trawl gear equipped with rollers greater than 18 inches in diameter.
  • It shall be unlawful to fish scup traps or pots without degradable fastener made of either untreated hemp, jute, or cotton string 3/16 inches or smaller, magnesium alloy timed float releases or fasteners, or ungalvanized, uncoated iron wire of 0.094 inches or smaller.
  • It is unlawful to fish scup traps or pots without a circular escape vent with a minimum of 3.1 inches in diameter, or a square escape vent with a minimum of 2.25 inches for each side, or an equivalent rectangular escape vent.
  • Proclamation FF-39-2026: SCUP – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN- NORTH OF CAPE HATTERAS – OPENING OF WINTER II PERIOD (effective 12:01 A.M., October 1, 2026).

Official source

Quick answers

What is the scup size limit in North Carolina?

9" TL.

How many scup can I keep in North Carolina?

30/Day.

Compare Scup 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.