SlotGaugeCheck a catch

North Carolina shellfish & crabs size limits and seasons

10 species, 2026 rules for state waters. Tap a species for every zone, the exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording and a keeper check. Updated 2026-09-29. All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →

Species	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Bay Scallop	Closed	—	—
Blue Crab	Open year-round	5 inch minimum	50 per person per day, max 100 per vessel
Calico Scallop	Closed	—	—
Conchs and Whelks	Open year-round	No size limit	10 per day, max 20 per vessel
Hard Clam	Open year-round	1 inch minimum	100 per day, max 200 per vessel
Mussels	Open year-round	No size limit	100 per day, max 200 per vessel
Oyster	October 15 – March 31	3 inch minimum	1 bushel per day, max 2 bushels per vessel
Shrimp	Open year-round	No size limit	48 quarts heads-on (30 heads-off) per person or vessel per day
Spiny Lobster	Open year-round	3 inch minimum	2 per trip
Stone Crab	August 16 – June 14	2.75 inch minimum	No possession limit during the open season; claws only