SlotGaugeCheck a catchRed Porgy regulations in North Carolina
Porgies · Saltwater · 2026 season
Red Porgy size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | May 1 – June 30 | 14 inch minimum | 1 per person per day or per trip, whichever is more restrictive |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi, SAFMC) | May 1 – June 30 | 14 inch minimum | 1 per person per day or per trip, whichever is more restrictive |
Notes
- Only open May 1 – June 30; one fish per person per day or per trip (multi-day trips still get one).
- 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
- May 1 – June 30
- Size
- 14 inches total length
- Limit
- 1 per person per day or per trip, whichever is more restrictive
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “It shall be unlawful to possess red porgy less than 14 inches total length. It shall be unlawful to possess more than one (1) red porgy per person per day, or one (1) red porgy per person per trip, whichever is more restrictive. It shall be unlawful to possess red porgy except from May 1 through June 30 each year.”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the red porgy
Species of fish
The red porgy, also known as the common seabream or Couch's bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Sparidae. It is found in shallow waters on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, being present on the western coast of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea as well as the eastern coasts of North and South America and the Caribbean Sea. It feeds on or near the seabed and most individuals start life as females and later change sex to males.
Read more about Red porgy 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 Porgy in North Carolina?
14 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Red Porgy can you keep per day in North Carolina?
1 per person per day or per trip, whichever is more restrictive.
When is Red Porgy season in North Carolina?
May 1 – June 30.
Is my Red Porgy a keeper today?
The red porgy season is closed today. It is open May 1 – June 30.