SlotGaugeCheck a catchSpanish Mackerel regulations in North Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Spanish Mackerel size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 12 inch minimum | 15 per person per day |
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 12" FL
- Limit
- 15/Day
- statewide — as printed
- “Spanish Mackerel (H) | 12" FL | 15/Day”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the spanish mackerel
Species of fish
The Atlantic Spanish mackerel is a migratory species of mackerel that swims to the northern Gulf of Mexico in spring, and returns to southern Florida in the eastern Gulf, and to Mexico in the western Gulf in the fall.
Read more about Atlantic Spanish mackerel 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 Spanish Mackerel in North Carolina?
12 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Spanish Mackerel can you keep per day in North Carolina?
15 per person per day.
When is Spanish Mackerel season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Spanish Mackerel a keeper today?
A spanish mackerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 15.