Atlantic moonfishin North Carolina
Selene setapinnis
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for Atlantic moonfish in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
SizeNo size limit
BagNo bag limit
SeasonOpen year-round
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 moonfishThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| LookdownLong dorsal and anal streamers, flatter forehead.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
How to tell it
A vertical silver dish with a steep face and thin body; no trailing streamers. More on the Atlantic moonfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at an Atlantic moonfish in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appAtlantic moonfish in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for Atlantic moonfish in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic moonfish can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is Atlantic moonfish season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
How current is this North Carolina Atlantic moonfish 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.