King Mackerel regulations in North Carolina

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A king mackerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 24 inches, with a daily limit of 3.

King Mackerel size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi)	Open year-round	24 inch minimum	3 per person per day

Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 24" FL
Limit: 3/Day
statewide — as printed: “King Mackerel (H) | 24" FL | 3/Day”

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

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About the king mackerel

Species of fish

The king mackerel, kingfish or carite lucio is a migratory species of mackerel of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It is an important species to both the commercial and recreational fishing industries.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for King Mackerel in North Carolina?

24 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.

How many King Mackerel can you keep per day in North Carolina?

3 per person per day.

When is King Mackerel season in North Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my King Mackerel a keeper today?

A king mackerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 24 inches, with a daily limit of 3.