SlotGaugeCheck a catchSpotted Seatrout regulations in North Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Spotted Seatrout size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 14–20 inch slot | 3 per day, only 1 over 26 inches |
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/2026-06/FF-31-2026_SpottedSeatrout_open harvest_final.pdf
- One fish in the daily limit may be over 26 inches.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 14"- 20" TL, 1 greater than 26" TL
- Limit
- 3/day
- statewide — as printed
- “Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout) | 14"- 20" TL, 1 greater than 26' TL | 3/day”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
Check your spotted seatrout in seconds
Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's North Carolina rules.
Open SlotGauge for Spotted SeatroutMore
About the spotted seatrout
Species of fish
Spotted seatrout, also known as speckled trout, is a common estuarine fish found in the southern United States along coasts of Gulf of Mexico and the coastal Atlantic Ocean from Maryland to Florida. While most of these fish are caught on shallow, grassy flats, spotted seatrout reside in virtually any inshore waters, from the surf of outside islands to far up coastal rivers, where they often come for shelter during cold weather. Contrary to its name, the spotted seatrout is not a member of the trout family (Salmonidae), but of the drum family (Sciaenidae). It is popular for commercial and especially recreational fishing in coastal waters of the southeastern United States. Adults reach 19–37 inches in length and 3–17 pounds in weight.
Read more about Cynoscion nebulosus 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 Spotted Seatrout in North Carolina?
14–20 inch slot in North Carolina state waters.
How many Spotted Seatrout can you keep per day in North Carolina?
3 per day, only 1 over 26 inches.
When is Spotted Seatrout season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Spotted Seatrout a keeper today?
A spotted seatrout is a keeper today if it measures between 14 and 20 inches, with a daily limit of 3.