Marbled grouperin North Carolina
Dermatolepis inermis
Also called Sicklefish grouper.
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for marbled grouper, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
Not named in the snapper-grouper rules we track; grouper aggregate rules may apply. Check before keeping one — a rare, slow-growing species.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026· checked · likelyCheck
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marbled grouperThis page. | No size limit | See note | Year-round |
| Gag grouperGray with worm-like markings.Tell them apart | 24 in total length | 1 per day (gag or black grouper combined; max 2 per vessel), within 3-grouper aggregate | 2026 season May 1 – Aug 1; quota-closed Aug 2, 2026 through Apr 30, 2027 |
How to tell it
Dark gray-brown grouper with pale marbling and a very deep body; a humpbacked look; rare on deep reefs. More on the marbled grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Marbled grouper in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a marbled grouper in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appMarbled grouper in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for marbled grouper in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many marbled grouper can you keep in North Carolina?
See note.
When is marbled grouper season in North Carolina?
Year-round.
How current is this North Carolina marbled grouper 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.