SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlue Crab regulations in North Carolina
· Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season
Blue Crab size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 5 inch minimum | 50 per person per day, max 100 per vessel |
Notes
- Closed Jan 1–31 north of the Highway 58 bridge and Mar 1–15 south of it.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 5" Carapace Width
- Limit
- 50 Crabs/Day not to exceed 100 Crabs per Vessel per Day
- statewide — as printed
- “Blue Crab (F) | 5" Carapace Width | 50 Crabs/Day not to exceed 100 Crabs per Vessel per Day | UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS from Jan 1-31 North of Highway 58 bridge; UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS from Mar 1-15 South of the Highway 58 bridge”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the blue crab
Species of crustacean
Callinectes sapidus, commonly known as the blue crab, Atlantic blue crab, or, regionally, the Maryland blue crab, is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and introduced internationally.
Read more about Callinectes sapidus 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 Blue Crab in North Carolina?
5 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Blue Crab can you keep per day in North Carolina?
50 per person per day, max 100 per vessel.
When is Blue Crab season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Blue Crab a keeper today?
A blue crab is a keeper today if it measures at least 5 inches, with a daily limit of 50.