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Striped Bass Regulations in North Carolina (2026)

Recreational striped bass rules in North Carolina saltwater, as published by the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Size limit
harvest slot limit of 28 inches to 31 inches TL
Bag limit
1 per person per day
Season
Year-round

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Striped Bass rules in North Carolina

Where
Atlantic Ocean (ocean)
Size limit
harvest slot limit of 28 inches to 31 inches TL
Bag limit
1 per person per day
Season
Year-round

Official source

Where
Albemarle Sound Management Area and Central Southern Management Area (bays & inshore)
Season
SEASON CURRENTLY CLOSED; Unlawful to possess striped bass (including hybrid bass)

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule
Where
Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers (Central Southern Management Area (CSMA)) (bays & inshore)
Size limit
It shall be unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, or offer for sale striped bass less than 18 inches total length. It shall be unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, or offer for sale striped bass between 22- and 27-inches total length. All striped bass taken during season closures and all striped bass less than 18 inches total length and between 22- and 27-inches total length shall be immediately returned to the waters taken, regardless of the condition of the fish.
Bag limit
It shall be unlawful for an individual or fishing operation, regardless of the number of persons or boats involved or the number of areas fished, to take, possess, transport, buy, sell, or offer for sale more than one (1) striped bass per day in any combined commercial fishing operation, except that a fishing operation consisting of more than one Standard Commercial Fishing License (SCFL) or Retired Standard Commercial Fishing License (RSCFL) holder onboard may be in possession of up to two (2) daily harvest limits.
Season
It shall be unlawful to possess striped bass in the Central Southern Management Area (CSMA), as defined in N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03R .0201 (c), except for commercial purposes from 12:01 A.M. on Wednesday April 1, 2026 through 11:59 P.M. on Thursday, April 30, 2026 in the areas described in Section I.
  • It shall be unlawful for dealers to sell, offer for sale, transport, or have in possession unfrozen striped bass after 11:59 P.M. May 14, 2026.
  • It shall be unlawful to purchase more than the daily harvest limit of striped bass from a SCFL or RSCFL holder or any combined commercial fishing operation in any one day as described in Section III.C.
  • It shall be unlawful for a dealer to possess, buy, sell or offer for sale striped bass taken from the areas described in Section I. without having a N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries issued green colored tag affixed through the mouth and gill cover.
  • Proclamation FF-20-2026: ESTUARINE STRIPED BASS – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – SEASON OPEN –PORTIONS OF TAR-PAMLICO AND NEUSE RIVERS INTERNAL COASTAL AND JOINT FISHING WATERS (effective 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, April 1, 2026 ,).

Official source

Quick answers

What is the striped bass size limit in North Carolina?

harvest slot limit of 28 inches to 31 inches TL (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many striped bass can I keep in North Carolina?

1 per person per day (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is striped bass season in North Carolina?

Year-round. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Striped Bass limits in other states →

More inshore 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.