Mutton snapperin North Carolina
Lutjanus analis
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for mutton snapper, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
No more than 5 of the 10-snapper aggregate may be mutton snapper.
Counts toward an aggregate limit: 10-snapper aggregate.
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026· checked Open
North Carolina state record
17 lb 12.8 oz, Ocean Isle offshore, 2025. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Blue line under the eye, small black side spot, pointed anal fin; red tail edge. More on the mutton snapper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Mutton snapper in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a mutton snapper in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appMutton snapper in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for mutton snapper in North Carolina?
18 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many mutton snapper can you keep in North Carolina?
5 per person per day within 10-snapper aggregate. It counts toward an aggregate: 10-snapper aggregate.
When is mutton snapper season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the North Carolina record mutton snapper?
17 lb 12.8 oz, Ocean Isle offshore (2025).
How current is this North Carolina mutton snapper 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.