SlotGaugeCheck a catchYellowtail Snapper regulations in North Carolina
Snappers · Saltwater · 2026 season
Yellowtail Snapper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 12 inch minimum | 10-fish snapper aggregate per person per day |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi, SAFMC) | Open year-round | 12 inch minimum | 10-fish snapper aggregate per person per day |
Notes
- Counts toward the 10-fish snapper aggregate per person per day (silk, blackfin, yellowtail, cubera, queen, gray, mutton, lane); no more than 5 may be mutton snapper.
- 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.
- Federal rules apply in both state and SAFMC waters; seasons can close early when catch limits are met — check safmc.net/regulations.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 12 inches total length
- Limit
- 10 per person per day snapper aggregate
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “yellowtail snapper, cubera snapper, and gray snapper less than 12 inches total length ... It shall be unlawful to possess more than ten (10) of the following species of snappers in the aggregate per person per day”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the yellowtail snapper
Species of fish
The yellowtail snapper is an abundant species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Although they have been found as far north as Massachusetts, their normal range is along Florida south to the West Indies and Brazil. This species is mostly found around coral reefs, but may be found in other habitats. They occur at depths of from near the surface to 180 meters (590 ft), though mostly between 10 and 70 m. This species can reach a length of 86.3 cm (34.0 in), though most do not exceed 40 cm (16 in). The greatest weight recorded for this species is 4.98 kg (11.0 lb). Yellowtail snapper is a commercially important species and has been farmed. It is sought as a game fish by recreational anglers and is a popular species for display in public aquaria. This species is the only known member of its genus.
Read more about Yellowtail snapper 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 Yellowtail Snapper in North Carolina?
12 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Yellowtail Snapper can you keep per day in North Carolina?
10-fish snapper aggregate per person per day.
When is Yellowtail Snapper season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Yellowtail Snapper a keeper today?
A yellowtail snapper is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 10.