Mahi-mahiin North Carolina
Coryphaena hippurus
Also called Dolphin, Dorado.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for mahi-mahi in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Vessel trip cap does not apply on head boats.
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.
Dolphin-Wahoo FMP; must be landed with head and fins intact.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
North Carolina state record
79 lb, Cape Hatteras, 1993. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Electric green-gold with blue flecks, blunt vertical forehead on bulls, full-length dorsal fin. More on the mahi-mahi page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Mahi-mahi in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a mahi-mahi in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appMahi-mahi in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for mahi-mahi in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many mahi-mahi can you keep in North Carolina?
10/day or 54 per trip, whichever is less (head boats 10/person/day).
When is mahi-mahi season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the North Carolina record mahi-mahi?
79 lb, Cape Hatteras (1993).
How current is this North Carolina mahi-mahi 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.