SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlack Sea Bass regulations in North Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Black Sea Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| North of Cape Hatteras | May 1 – December 31 | 13 inch minimum | 15 per person per day |
| South of Cape Hatteras | Open year-round | 13 inch minimum | 7 per person per day |
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Season open May 1-Dec. 31
- Size
- 13" TL
- Limit
- 15/Day
- North of Cape Hatteras — as printed
- “Black Sea Bass N (P) (North of Cape Hatteras) | 13" TL | 15/Day | Season open May 1-Dec. 31”
- South of Cape Hatteras — as printed
- “Black Sea Bass (P) (South of Cape Hatteras) | 13" TL | 7/Day”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the black sea bass
Species of fish
The black sea bass is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sea bass from the subfamily Serraninae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the groupers and anthias. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, where it is an important species for commercial and recreational fisheries.
Read more about Black sea bass 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 Sea Bass in North Carolina?
13 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Black Sea Bass can you keep per day in North Carolina?
15 per person per day.
When is Black Sea Bass season in North Carolina?
May 1 – December 31.
Is my Black Sea Bass a keeper today?
A black sea bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 13 inches, with a daily limit of 15.