SlotGaugeCheck a catchBay Scallop regulations in North Carolina
Scallops · Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season
Bay Scallop size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
Notes
- Bay scallop harvest has been closed statewide; watch DMF proclamations for any reopening.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- SEASON CLOSED — unlawful to possess
- Size
- None
- Limit
- None — closed
- NC coastal waters — as printed
- “Bay Scallop — SEASON CLOSED UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS.”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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Open SlotGauge for Bay ScallopAbout the bay scallop
Species of bivalve
Argopecten irradians, formerly classified as Aequipecten irradians, common names Atlantic bay scallop, bay scallop, and blue-eyed scallop, is a species of scallop in the family Pectinidae. An edible saltwater bivalve, it is native to the northwest Atlantic from Cape Cod to the Gulf of Mexico.
Read more about Argopecten irradians on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.
All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Bay Scallop in North Carolina?
No size limit in North Carolina state waters.
How many Bay Scallop can you keep per day in North Carolina?
Closed — unlawful to possess.
When is Bay Scallop season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Bay Scallop a keeper today?
Bay Scallop is closed to harvest. Release it.