Atlantic stingrayin North Carolina
Hypanus sabinus
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for Atlantic stingray 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 stingrayThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| Bluntnose stingrayRounded snout.Tell them apart | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| Southern stingrayMuch bigger, sharply angular disc corners.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
How to tell it
Small tan ray with a pointed, spade-shaped snout and a barbed whip tail. More on the Atlantic stingray page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at an Atlantic stingray in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appAtlantic stingray in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for Atlantic stingray in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic stingray can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is Atlantic stingray season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
How current is this North Carolina Atlantic stingray 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.