Hogfishin North Carolina
Lachnolaimus maximus
Also called Hog snapper.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for hogfish in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Per snapper-grouper proclamation FF-10-2026.
Measured as fork length (FL): snout to the fork of the tail.
NC DMF 2026· checked Open
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.
Off east FL federal waters: 16 in FL, 1 per person, open May 1 – Oct 31 only.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
North Carolina state record
21 lb 6 oz, Frying Pan Shoals, 2005. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Pig-like snout, first three dorsal spines drawn into long streamers, big males blush deep red. More on the hogfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Hogfish in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a hogfish in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appHogfish in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for hogfish in North Carolina?
17 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many hogfish can you keep in North Carolina?
2/day.
When is hogfish season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the North Carolina record hogfish?
21 lb 6 oz, Frying Pan Shoals (2005).
How current is this North Carolina hogfish 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.