Prohibited Species (WRC live possession/stocking ban) regulations in North Carolina

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Prohibited Species (WRC live possession/stocking ban) has no size limit today, with No live possession; kill on capture (no harvest limit printed).

Prohibited Species (WRC live possession/stocking ban) size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
All NC waters (WRC)	Open year-round	No size limit	No live possession; kill on capture (no harvest limit printed)

Notes

If you catch a snakehead, carp of these species, or any other listed invasive, do not release it or move it alive — kill it and report it to WRC.

Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording

Season: Live possession prohibited
Size: None
Limit: May not be possessed alive, transported, sold or stocked
All NC waters (WRC) — as printed: “It is unlawful to transport, purchase, possess or sell any live individuals or stock any private or public waters of North Carolina from the following species: African longfin eel ... Snakehead (from the Family Channidae, formerly Ophiocephalidae) ... Yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis) Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)”

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

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About the prohibited species

Identification tips, range and habits for the prohibited species: read the Prohibited Species (WRC live possession/stocking ban) article on Wikipedia.

All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Prohibited Species (WRC live possession/stocking ban) in North Carolina?

No size limit in North Carolina state waters.

How many Prohibited Species (WRC live possession/stocking ban) can you keep per day in North Carolina?

No live possession; kill on capture (no harvest limit printed).

When is Prohibited Species (WRC live possession/stocking ban) season in North Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Prohibited Species (WRC live possession/stocking ban) a keeper today?

Prohibited Species (WRC live possession/stocking ban) has no size limit today, with No live possession; kill on capture (no harvest limit printed).