Striped burrfishin North Carolina
Chilomycterus schoepfii
Also called Spiny boxfish.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for striped burrfish 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped burrfishThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| PorcupinefishSpots instead of stripes; long spines that lie flat.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
| Northern pufferNo spines, pepper-grain dots.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
How to tell it
Spiny balloon with wavy dark stripes and big doll eyes; short spines are always half-raised. More on the striped burrfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at a striped burrfish in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appStriped burrfish in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for striped burrfish in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many striped burrfish can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is striped burrfish season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
How current is this North Carolina striped burrfish 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.