Atlantic chub mackerelin North Carolina
Scomber colias
Also called Chub.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for Atlantic chub mackerel in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
NC DMF 2026· checked · likelyOpen
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic chub mackerelThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| Atlantic mackerelClean unspotted belly, bolder bars.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
| Spanish mackerelGold spots, larger.Tell them apart | 12" FL min | 15 per person per day | Year-round |
How to tell it
Small mackerel with wavy lines on the back AND dusky spotting below the midline; big eye. More on the Atlantic chub mackerel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at an Atlantic chub mackerel in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appAtlantic chub mackerel in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for Atlantic chub mackerel in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic chub mackerel can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is Atlantic chub mackerel season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
How current is this North Carolina Atlantic chub mackerel 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.