Swordfishin North Carolina
Xiphias gladius
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for swordfish, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
May not be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is aboard.
Measured as lower-jaw fork length (LJFL): tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail.
NOAA HMS 2026· checked Open
North Carolina state record
504 lb 8 oz, Off Morehead City, 2022. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Flat broad bill, huge eye, no scales or pelvic fins on adults. More on the swordfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Swordfish in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a swordfish in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSwordfish in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for swordfish in North Carolina?
47" LJFL min. Measured as lower-jaw fork length: tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail.
How many swordfish can you keep in North Carolina?
1 per person, up to 4 per vessel per trip (private); higher for-hire vessel caps.
When is swordfish season in North Carolina?
Year-round.
What is the North Carolina record swordfish?
504 lb 8 oz, Off Morehead City (2022).
How current is this North Carolina swordfish rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 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.