Atlantic menhadenin North Carolina
Brevoortia tyrannus
Also called Bunker, Pogy, Fatback.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for Atlantic menhaden in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Cast-netting bunker for bait is unrestricted; the commercial fishery is regulated separately.
NC DMF 2026· 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic menhadenThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| Atlantic thread herringLast dorsal ray trails a long thread.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
| AlewifeSingle spot only, slimmer.Tell them apart | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
How to tell it
Deep-bodied herring with a big black shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots; swims in tight flipping schools. More on the Atlantic menhaden page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at an Atlantic menhaden in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appAtlantic menhaden in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for Atlantic menhaden in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic menhaden can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is Atlantic menhaden season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
How current is this North Carolina Atlantic menhaden 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.