SlotGaugeCheck a catchCrayfish regulations in North Carolina
Crustaceans · Freshwater · 2026 season
Crayfish size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC inland fishing waters | Open year-round | No size limit | 200 in combination with other nongame fish and mollusks |
Notes
- 200 per day combined with any other nongame fish/mollusks you take for bait or the table; invasive crayfish species (rusty, virile, marbled, red claw, bigclaw, Creole painted) may not be possessed alive.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- None
- Limit
- 200 in combination (nongame fish, crayfish and mollusks taken for personal use)
- NC inland fishing waters — as printed
- “The daily creel limit is 200 nongame fish, crayfish, and mollusks, in combination, subject to species-specific size and creel limits.”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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Open SlotGauge for CrayfishAbout the crayfish
Freshwater crustaceans
Crayfish, crawfish, or crawdads are freshwater crustaceans belonging to the infraorder Astacidea, which also contains lobsters. Taxonomically, they are members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea. They breathe through feather-like gills. Some species are found in brooks and streams, where fresh water is running, while others thrive in swamps, ditches, and paddy fields. Most crayfish cannot tolerate polluted water, although some species, such as Procambarus clarkii, are hardier. Crayfish feed on animals and plants, either living or decomposing, and detritus.
Read more about Crayfish 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 Crayfish in North Carolina?
No size limit in North Carolina state waters.
How many Crayfish can you keep per day in North Carolina?
200 in combination with other nongame fish and mollusks.
When is Crayfish season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Crayfish a keeper today?
Crayfish has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 200.