Sheepshead regulations in North Carolina

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A sheepshead is a keeper today if it measures at least 14 inches, with a daily limit of 5.

Sheepshead size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi)	Open year-round	14 inch minimum	5 per person per day

Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 14" TL
Limit: 5/Day
statewide — as printed: “Sheepshead | 14" TL | 5/Day”

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

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About the sheepshead

List of common names used to refer to fish

Common names of fish can refer to a single species; to an entire group of species, such as a genus or family; or to multiple unrelated species or groups. Ambiguous common names are accompanied by their possible meanings. Scientific names for individual species and higher taxa are included in parentheses.

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 Sheepshead in North Carolina?

14 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.

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

5 per person per day.

When is Sheepshead season in North Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Sheepshead a keeper today?

A sheepshead is a keeper today if it measures at least 14 inches, with a daily limit of 5.