Red Drum (Redfish) (also known as Red Drum, Channel Bass, Spottail Bass) in North Carolina. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit, slot rule — verified against the NCDMF guide, 2026.
In North Carolina, the minimum legal size for Red Drum (Redfish) is 18 in and the daily bag limit is 1. A slot limit applies: 18" minimum to 27" maximum total length (TL) harvest slot; unlawful to possess red drum greater than 27" TL. There is no closed season in NC.
18" minimum to 27" maximum total length (TL) harvest slot; unlawful to possess red drum greater than 27" TL
No closed season
Statewide, both north and south of Cape Hatteras. Mandatory harvest reporting (effective Dec 1, 2025) applies — kept red drum must be reported at deq.nc.gov/report-my-fish. STATE coastal and joint waters (internal + 0-3 mi). In federal Atlantic Ocean / EEZ waters (3-200 mi) red drum harvest is PROHIBITED by federal rule.
These limits are pulled from the NCDMF recreational size and bag limits. Last verified June 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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