SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlack Drum regulations in North Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Black Drum size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 14–25 inch slot | 10 per person per day |
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 14" Min - 25" Max TL
- Limit
- 10/Day
- statewide — as printed
- “Black Drum (C) | 14" Min - 25" Max TL | 10/Day”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the black drum
Species of fish
The black drum, also known as the drum or drummer, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean off the eastern coast of North and South America. Though most specimens are generally found in the 5-30 lb (2–14 kg) range, the largest black drum was just over 113 lb (51 kg), while in Argentina in 1971, a 48 kg black drum was captured. They are often black and/or gray in color with juvenile fish having distinctive dark stripes over a gray body. Their teeth are rounded and they have powerful jaws capable of crushing oysters and other shellfish. Black drum are capable of producing tones between 100 Hz and 500 Hz when performing mating calls.
Read more about Black drum 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 Black Drum in North Carolina?
14–25 inch slot in North Carolina state waters.
How many Black Drum can you keep per day in North Carolina?
10 per person per day.
When is Black Drum season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Black Drum a keeper today?
A black drum is a keeper today if it measures between 14 and 25 inches, with a daily limit of 10.