Atlantic sturgeonin North Carolina
Acipenser oxyrinchus
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for Atlantic sturgeon in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Listed as a prohibited finfish species in NC coastal and joint waters (ESA-listed).
NC DMF 2026· checked Put it back
How to tell it
Rows of bony armor scutes, a shark-like tail, and a vacuum-hose snout with barbels — a dinosaur. More on the Atlantic sturgeon page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic sturgeon in other states
In the app
Point the camera at an Atlantic sturgeon in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appAtlantic sturgeon in North Carolina: the questions
Can you keep Atlantic sturgeon in North Carolina?
No. Harvest is prohibited in North Carolina. Release it in the water where you can. Listed as a prohibited finfish species in NC coastal and joint waters (ESA-listed).
How current is this North Carolina Atlantic sturgeon 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.