SlotGaugeCheck a catch

Hogfish regulations in North Carolina

Wrasses · Saltwater · 2026 season

Hogfish size limit, season and daily limit

Notes

• Snapper-grouper gear rules: non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks with natural bait; a dehooking tool and a descending device (16 oz weight, 60 ft line) must be on board; fish must be landed with heads and fins intact.
• Federal rules apply in both state and SAFMC waters; seasons can close early when catch limits are met — check safmc.net/regulations.

Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording

Season

Open year-round

Size

17 inches fork length

Limit

2 per person per day

NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed

“It shall be unlawful to possess hogfish less than 17 inches fork length. It shall be unlawful to possess more than two (2) hogfish per person per day.”

Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).

About the hogfish

Species of fish

The hogfish, also known as boquinete, doncella de pluma, or pez perro in Mexico is a species of wrasse native to the western Atlantic Ocean, living in a range from Nova Scotia, Canada, to northern South America, including the Gulf of Mexico. This species occurs around reefs, especially preferring areas with plentiful gorgonians. It is a carnivore that feeds on molluscs, crabs, and sea urchins. This species is currently the only known member of its genus.

Read more about Hogfish 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 Hogfish in North Carolina?

17 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.

How many Hogfish can you keep per day in North Carolina?

2 per person per day.

When is Hogfish season in North Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Hogfish a keeper today?

A hogfish is a keeper today if it measures at least 17 inches, with a daily limit of 2.