Houndfishin North Carolina
Tylosurus crocodilus
Also called Crocodile needlefish.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for houndfish in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HoundfishThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| Atlantic needlefishPencil-thin, longer beak.Tell them apart | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| Great barracudaTwo separated dorsals and fangs, no beak.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
How to tell it
The heavyweight needlefish — thick as your wrist with a shorter, stouter beak; leaps wildly when hooked. More on the houndfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at a houndfish in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appHoundfish in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for houndfish in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many houndfish can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is houndfish season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
How current is this North Carolina houndfish 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.