Spotted Seatrout Regulations in North Carolina (2026)

Where

Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters including the Atlantic Ocean (all waters)

Size limit

It shall be unlawful to possess spotted seatrout taken for commercial purposes less than 14 inches total length.

Bag limit

It shall be unlawful for a commercial fishing operation to possess more than 75 spotted seatrout per day except the stop net beach seine fishery in the Atlantic Ocean off Bogue Banks, Carteret County.; It shall be unlawful for a commercial fishing operation to possess more than three (3) spotted seatrout per person per day taken by hook and line.

Season

This proclamation opens the commercial and recreational spotted seatrout (speckled trout) fishery in Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters including the Atlantic Ocean on July 1, 2026, in accordance with Amendment 1 to the N.C. Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan.

• From January 1 through September 30, i t shall be unlawful for a commercial fishing operation to take or land spotted seatrout for commercial purposes from 11:59 P.M. Friday to 12:01 A.M. Monday each week.
• From October 1 through December 31, it shall be unlawful to take or land spotted seatrout for commercial purposes from 11:59 P.M. Friday through 12:01 A.M. Tuesday each week.
• Proclamation FF-31-2026: SPOTTED SEATROUT – COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL – COASTAL AND JOINT FISHING WATERS INCLUDING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN - OPENING AND HARVEST RESTRICTIONS (effective 12:01 A.M., July 1, 2026).

Official source