SlotGaugeCheck a catchMutton Snapper regulations in North Carolina
Snappers · Saltwater · 2026 season
Mutton Snapper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 18 inch minimum | 5 per person per day within the 10-fish snapper aggregate |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi, SAFMC) | Open year-round | 18 inch minimum | 5 per person per day within the 10-fish snapper aggregate |
Notes
- Counts toward the 10-fish snapper aggregate per person per day (silk, blackfin, yellowtail, cubera, queen, gray, mutton, lane); no more than 5 may be mutton snapper.
- 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
- 18 inches total length
- Limit
- 5 per person per day within the 10-fish snapper aggregate
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “It shall be unlawful to possess mutton snapper less than 18 inches total length. ... No more than five (5) may be mutton snapper per person per day within the ten (10) fish snapper aggregate.”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the mutton snapper
Species of fish
The mutton snapper is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.
Read more about Mutton snapper 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 Mutton Snapper in North Carolina?
18 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Mutton Snapper can you keep per day in North Carolina?
5 per person per day within the 10-fish snapper aggregate.
When is Mutton Snapper season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Mutton Snapper a keeper today?
A mutton snapper is a keeper today if it measures at least 18 inches, with a daily limit of 5.