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Rock Bass regulations in North Carolina

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Rock Bass
Is it a keeper? Not yet converted to a keeper check. As printed: season Open year-round; size None; limit No limit. Read the exact wording below.

Rock Bass size limit, season and daily limit

WhereSeasonSize limitDaily limit
NC inland waters (statewide; listed waters differ)Open year-roundNoneNo limit

Notes

Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording

Season
Open year-round
Size
None
Limit
No limit
Inland waters — as printed
“Rock Bass and Roanoke Bass — All public fishing waters except those listed below: None (east of I-77: 8-inch minimum, 2 in combination)”

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

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About the rock bass

Rock bass

Species of freshwater fish

The rock bass, also known as the rock perch, goggle-eye, red eye, and black perch, is a freshwater fish native to east-central North America. This red-eyed fish is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Centrarchiformes and can be distinguished from other similar species by the six spines in the anal fin.

Read more about Rock bass 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 Rock Bass in North Carolina?

None in North Carolina state waters.

How many Rock Bass can you keep per day in North Carolina?

No limit.

When is Rock Bass season in North Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Rock Bass a keeper today?

Not yet converted to a keeper check. As printed: season Open year-round; size None; limit No limit. Read the exact wording below.