SlotGaugeCheck a catchRed Drum regulations in North Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Red Drum size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 18–27 inch slot | 1 per person per day |
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 18" Min - 27" Max TL
- Limit
- 1/Day
- statewide — as printed
- “Red Drum (Channel Bass, Puppy Drum) (C) | 18" Min - 27" Max TL | 1/Day”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
Check your red drum in seconds
Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's North Carolina rules.
Open SlotGauge for Red DrumMore
About the red drum
Species of fish
The red drum, also known as redfish, channel bass, puppy drum, spottail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.
Read more about Red drum 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 Red Drum in North Carolina?
18–27 inch slot in North Carolina state waters.
How many Red Drum can you keep per day in North Carolina?
1 per person per day.
When is Red Drum season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Red Drum a keeper today?
A red drum is a keeper today if it measures between 18 and 27 inches, with a daily limit of 1.