Spotted hakein North Carolina
Urophycis regia
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for spotted hake in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
SizeNo size limit
BagNo bag limit
SeasonOpen year-round
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted hakeThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| Red hakeNo spot row; longer dorsal ribbon ray.Tell them apart | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
How to tell it
Codling with a dashed row of dark spots down the lateral line, big eye, chin barbel. More on the spotted hake page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at a spotted hake in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSpotted hake in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for spotted hake in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many spotted hake can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is spotted hake season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
How current is this North Carolina spotted hake 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.