Weakfishin North Carolina
Cynoscion regalis
Also called Gray trout, Squeteague.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for weakfish in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WeakfishThis page. | 12 in TL min | 1/day | Open year-round |
| Spotted seatroutBigger scattered spots reaching the tail.Tell them apart | 14-20 in TL slot | 3/day | Open year-round |
North Carolina state record
14 lb 14 oz, Nags Head surf, 1980. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Small spots in diagonal rows along the back, yellow-tinged fins, sea-trout body. More on the weakfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Weakfish in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a weakfish in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appWeakfish in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for weakfish in North Carolina?
12 in TL min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many weakfish can you keep in North Carolina?
1/day.
When is weakfish season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Do I have to report weakfish 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 weakfish?
14 lb 14 oz, Nags Head surf (1980).
How current is this North Carolina weakfish 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.