SlotGaugeCheck a catchSpeckled Hind regulations in North Carolina
Groupers · Saltwater · 2026 season
Speckled Hind size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi, SAFMC) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
Notes
- Must be released immediately in all NC and South Atlantic federal waters; use a descending device.
- Snapper-grouper gear rules: non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks with natural bait; a dehooking tool and a descending device (16 oz weight, 60 ft line) must be on board; fish must be landed with heads and fins intact.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Possession prohibited
- Size
- Possession prohibited
- Limit
- Possession prohibited
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “It shall be unlawful to possess speckled hind, warsaw grouper, Nassau grouper, and goliath grouper.”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the speckled hind
Species of fish
The speckled hind, also known as the calico grouper, kitty mitchell or strawberry grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper of the family Epinephelidae. It is found in Bermuda and off the eastern coast of North America. Its natural habitats are open seas, shallow seas, aquatic beds, and coral reefs. The species, like many other types of marine life in the region, is threatened by habitat loss.
Read more about Speckled hind 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 Speckled Hind in North Carolina?
No size limit in North Carolina state waters.
How many Speckled Hind can you keep per day in North Carolina?
Possession prohibited.
When is Speckled Hind season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Speckled Hind a keeper today?
Speckled Hind is closed to harvest. Release it.