Red snapperin North Carolina
Lutjanus campechanus
Also called Genuine red, American red.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for red snapper in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Prohibited in NC coastal and joint waters. Federal SAFMC waters have separate short seasons — see SAFMC rules.
NC DMF 2026· checked Put it back
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.
A limited fall 2026 reopening may be announced by separate notice.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red snapperThis page. | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
| Vermilion snapperSmaller, streamlined, forked tail, no heavy jaw.Tell them apart | 12 in total length | 5 per person per day (separate from 10-snapper aggregate) | Open year-round |
| Red grouperGrouper mouth and rounded tail, mottled brick red.Tell them apart | 20 in total length | 3 per person per day within 3-grouper aggregate | NC/SC federal waters: June 1 – Dec 31 (closed Jan 1 – May 31); GA/FL: May 1 – Dec 31 |
North Carolina state record
40 lb, Off Cape Lookout, 1970. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Uniform rose red, red eye, pointed anal fin; adults lack the dark side spot. More on the red snapper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Red snapper in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a red snapper in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appRed snapper in North Carolina: the questions
Can you keep red snapper in North Carolina?
No. Harvest is prohibited in North Carolina. Release it in the water where you can. Prohibited in NC coastal and joint waters. Federal SAFMC waters have separate short seasons — see SAFMC rules.
What is the North Carolina record red snapper?
40 lb, Off Cape Lookout (1970).
How current is this North Carolina red snapper 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.