Alewifein North Carolina
Alosa pseudoharengus
Also called River herring, Buckie.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for alewife in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
River herring (alewife and blueback) unlawful to possess under NC moratorium.
Counts toward an aggregate limit: River herring.
NC DMF 2026· checked Put it back
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlewifeThis page. | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
| Blueback herringBlue-black back, smaller eye — in hand, its gut lining is black.Tell them apart | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
| Atlantic herringNo shoulder spot.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
| American shadMuch larger, spot row.Tell them apart | No size limit | 10/day aggregate with hickory shad; no more than 1 American shad in most waters (up to 5 in Cape Fear River system; any mix in Pamlico/Pungo) | Internal and joint waters only; harvest from the Atlantic Ocean prohibited; after Apr 14 harvest limited to hook-and-line |
How to tell it
River herring with an eye WIDER than its snout is long; gray-green back, single shoulder spot, sawtooth belly keel. More on the alewife page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at an alewife in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appAlewife in North Carolina: the questions
Can you keep alewife in North Carolina?
No. Harvest is prohibited in North Carolina. Release it in the water where you can. River herring (alewife and blueback) unlawful to possess under NC moratorium.
How current is this North Carolina alewife rule?
Source: NC DMF 2026, 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.