Goliath grouperin North Carolina
Epinephelus itajara
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for goliath grouper in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Prohibited in NC coastal and joint waters; also fully protected in federal waters.
NC DMF 2026· checked Put it back
Beyond 3 miles: federal waters
A different rule past the 3-mile line, written by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Where the two differ, the water you are in decides.
Must be released immediately in federal waters.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
How to tell it
Enormous rounded tan-brown grouper with small eyes and faint bars; can top 500 lb. More on the goliath grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Goliath grouper in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a goliath grouper in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appGoliath grouper in North Carolina: the questions
Can you keep goliath grouper in North Carolina?
No. Harvest is prohibited in North Carolina. Release it in the water where you can. Prohibited in NC coastal and joint waters; also fully protected in federal waters.
How current is this North Carolina goliath grouper 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.