Mussels regulations in North Carolina

Clams & oysters · Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Mussels has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 100.

Mussels size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi)	Open year-round	No size limit	100 per day, max 200 per vessel

Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: None
Limit: 100 per day, not to exceed 200 per vessel per day
NC coastal waters — as printed: “Mussels — 100/Day not to exceed 200/Vessel/Day.”

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

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About the mussels

Species of mollusc

The blue mussel, also known as the common mussel, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae, the only extant family in the order Mytilida, known as "true mussels". Blue mussels are subject to commercial use and intensive aquaculture. A species with a large range, the blue mussel leaves empty shells that are commonly found on beaches around the world.

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 Mussels in North Carolina?

No size limit in North Carolina state waters.

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

100 per day, max 200 per vessel.

When is Mussels season in North Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Mussels a keeper today?

Mussels has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 100.