Albacorein North Carolina
Thunnus alalunga
Also called Longfin, Longfin tuna.
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for albacore, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
NOAA HMS 2025· checked Open
Often mistaken for, and their North Carolina rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlbacoreThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| Bigeye tunaStockier with a bigger eye; pectorals never reach that far.Tell them apart | 27" curved FL min | 3 per person per day | Year-round |
| Yellowfin tunaYellow finlets and shorter pectorals.Tell them apart | 27" curved FL min | 3 per person per day | Year-round |
North Carolina state record
62 lb, Off Oregon Inlet, 2001. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Pectoral fins absurdly long, sweeping back past the anal fin; deep-blue back, chalk belly. More on the albacore page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Albacore in other states
In the app
Point the camera at an albacore in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appAlbacore in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for albacore in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many albacore can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is albacore season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the North Carolina record albacore?
62 lb, Off Oregon Inlet (2001).
How current is this North Carolina albacore rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2025, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.