Rock hindin North Carolina
Epinephelus adscensionis
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for rock hind, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
Counts toward an aggregate limit: 3-grouper/tilefish aggregate.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026· checked Open
How to tell it
Olive hind, dark saddles on the back, big blotchy spots. More on the rock hind page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Rock hind in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a rock hind in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appRock hind in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for rock hind in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many rock hind can you keep in North Carolina?
3 per person per day within 3-grouper aggregate. It counts toward an aggregate: 3-grouper/tilefish aggregate.
When is rock hind season in North Carolina?
May 1 – Dec 31 (spawning closure Jan 1 – Apr 30). As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
How current is this North Carolina rock hind 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.