SlotGaugeCheck a catchSpiny Lobster regulations in North Carolina
· Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season
Spiny Lobster size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 3 inch minimum | 2 per trip |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' notes. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://files.nc.gov/deq/documents/2022-04/M-7-2022_SpinyLobster-FINAL.pdf
- See the most recent DMF proclamation.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 3" Carapace Length
- Limit
- 2/Trip
- statewide — as printed
- “Spiny Lobster (K) | 3" Carapace Length (L) | 2/Trip”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the spiny lobster
Species of crustacean
Panulirus argus, the Caribbean spiny lobster, is a species of spiny lobster that lives on reefs and in mangrove swamps in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Read more about Panulirus argus 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 Spiny Lobster in North Carolina?
3 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Spiny Lobster can you keep per day in North Carolina?
2 per trip.
When is Spiny Lobster season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Spiny Lobster a keeper today?
A spiny lobster is a keeper today if it measures at least 3 inches, with a daily limit of 2.