Northern kingfishin North Carolina
Menticirrhus saxatilis
Also called Sea mullet, Whiting, Roundhead.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for northern kingfish 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern kingfishThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| Southern kingfishFainter bars, no shoulder V, shorter dorsal spine.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
| Gulf kingfishPlain silver, no bars.Tell them apart | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
North Carolina state record
3 lb 8 oz, Bogue Banks Pier, 1971. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Dark diagonal bars forming a V at the shoulder, a long first dorsal spine, and a single chin barbel. More on the northern kingfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at a northern kingfish in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appNorthern kingfish in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for northern kingfish in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many northern kingfish can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is northern kingfish season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the North Carolina record northern kingfish?
3 lb 8 oz, Bogue Banks Pier (1971).
How current is this North Carolina northern kingfish 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.