Sailfish regulations in North Carolina

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A sailfish is a keeper today if it measures at least 63 inches, with a daily limit of 1.

Sailfish size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi)	Open year-round	63 inch minimum	1 per person per day

Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 63" LJFL
Limit: 1/Day
statewide — as printed: “Sailfish (G) | 63" LJFL | 1/Day”

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

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About the sailfish

Species of fish

The Atlantic sailfish is a species of marine fish in the family Istiophoridae of the order Istiophoriformes. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, except for large areas of the central North Atlantic and the central South Atlantic, from the surface to depths of 200 m (656 ft). The Atlantic sailfish is related to the marlin.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Sailfish in North Carolina?

63 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.

How many Sailfish can you keep per day in North Carolina?

1 per person per day.

When is Sailfish season in North Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Sailfish a keeper today?

A sailfish is a keeper today if it measures at least 63 inches, with a daily limit of 1.