Cobia (also known as Ling, Lemonfish) in North Carolina. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the NCDMF guide, 2026.
In North Carolina, the minimum legal size for Cobia is 36 in and the daily bag limit is 1 per person/day. Private vessel: max 2 per vessel/day May 1–Jun 30 (with two or more aboard), max 1 per vessel/day Jul 1–Dec 31. For-hire vessel: max 4 per vessel/day May 1–Dec 31.. Season note: Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current North Carolina rules (including open dates, depth and area) before keeping fish.
Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current North Carolina rules (including open dates, depth and area) before keeping fish.
Cobia is NOT in the standing recreational size/bag table - the guide says 'See the most recent Cobia DMF proclamation.' Size (36in FL) and per-person bag (1/day) are stable; the season window is set annually. STATE coastal + joint waters (0-3 mi): 36in FL, 1/person/day with the per-vessel caps above. Cobia is managed by proclamation, not in the standing NCDMF size/bag table. Federal/EEZ (Atlantic, ASMFC/NOAA) min size is also 36in FL; confirm federal dates separately. Re-checked 2026-09 against Proclamation FF-4-2026 §II.A-C: the vessel limit is seasonal and differs for for-hire vessels, which the previous flat "max 2 per vessel" did not capture. Season May 1 - Dec 31, 2026.
These limits are pulled from the NCDMF recreational size and bag limits. Last verified September 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
North Carolina requires a Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) for anyone aged 16 or older fishing coastal or joint waters — there is no general shoreline exemption. NC fishing licences.
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