Spotted seatroutin North Carolina
Cynoscion nebulosus
Also called Speck, Spotted seatrout.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for spotted seatrout in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
One of the 3 fish may be over 26 in TL.
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
NC DMF 2026· checked Open
Mandatory harvest reporting
Every red drum, flounder, speckled trout, striped bass, or weakfish you keep in North Carolina waters must be reported to NC DMF — state law since Dec 1, 2025. Report as soon as the trip is over (the moment the boat reaches shore) in the NC DMF iPhone app or the online form; paper report cards are due by midnight the next day.
How to report · NC DMF · checked 2026-09-04
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted seatroutThis page. | 14-20 in TL slot | 3/day | Open year-round |
| WeakfishSpots form diagonal rows, not scattered.Tell them apart | 12 in TL min | 1/day | Open year-round |
North Carolina state record
12 lb 8 oz, Neuse River, 2022. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Round black spots scattered on back, dorsal and tail; two canine teeth; soft mouth. More on the spotted seatrout page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Spotted seatrout in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a spotted seatrout in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSpotted seatrout in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for spotted seatrout in North Carolina?
14-20 in TL slot. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many spotted seatrout can you keep in North Carolina?
3/day.
When is spotted seatrout season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Do I have to report spotted seatrout in North Carolina?
Yes. Every red drum, flounder, speckled trout, striped bass, or weakfish you keep in North Carolina waters must be reported to NC DMF — state law since Dec 1, 2025. Report as soon as the trip is over (the moment the boat reaches shore) in the NC DMF iPhone app or the online form; paper report cards are due by midnight the next day.
What is the North Carolina record spotted seatrout?
12 lb 8 oz, Neuse River (2022).
How current is this North Carolina spotted seatrout 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.