Cottonwickin North Carolina
Haemulon melanurum
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for cottonwick, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
SAFMC lists no size or bag limit for this snapper-grouper species.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026· checked · likelyOpen
How to tell it
White grunt cousin: bold black stripe from snout through the tail. More on the cottonwick page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Cottonwick in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a cottonwick in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appCottonwick in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for cottonwick in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many cottonwick can you keep in North Carolina?
No specific bag limit.
When is cottonwick season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
How current is this North Carolina cottonwick rule?
Source: SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026, last checked Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.