SlotGaugeCheck a catchBigeye Tuna regulations in North Carolina
Tunas · Saltwater · 2026 season
Bigeye Tuna size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 27 inch minimum | No state bag limit; federal HMS rules apply |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | Open year-round | 27 inch minimum | Federal HMS rules apply |
Notes
- HMS Angling permit required. NC prints only the 27 inch curved fork length minimum; bag limits are federal — see fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 27 inch curved fork length
- Limit
- No state bag limit printed (federal HMS rules apply)
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “Tuna: Bluefin, Bigeye and Yellowfin (G) | Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna - 27" Curved FL | Yellowfin Tuna - 3/Day | Federal HMS Management”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the bigeye tuna
Species of fish
The bigeye tuna is a species of true tuna of the genus Thunnus, belonging to the wider mackerel family Scombridae. Bigeye tuna are found in the open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans, but not in the Mediterranean Sea.
Read more about Bigeye tuna 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 Bigeye Tuna in North Carolina?
27 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Bigeye Tuna can you keep per day in North Carolina?
No state bag limit; federal HMS rules apply.
When is Bigeye Tuna season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Bigeye Tuna a keeper today?
A bigeye tuna is a keeper today if it measures at least 27 inches, with No state bag limit; federal HMS rules apply.