Yellowfin tunain North Carolina
Thunnus albacares
Also called Ahi.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for yellowfin tuna in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Federal HMS permit required for tunas. NC flyer lists bigeye and yellowfin together at 27" CFL, 3/day.
Measured as curved fork length (CFL): snout to the fork of the tail, measured along the curve of the body.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowfin tunaThis page. | 27" curved FL min | 3 per person per day | Year-round |
| Blackfin tunaSmaller, dusky fins, bronze lateral wash.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
| Bigeye tunaBigger eye, stockier; hard to call — when in doubt, measure and check.Tell them apart | 27" curved FL min | 3 per person per day | Year-round |
North Carolina state record
237 lb, Off Cape Lookout, 1979. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Long yellow second dorsal and anal fins that grow with age; yellow lateral stripe. More on the yellowfin tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
In the app
Point the camera at a yellowfin tuna in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appYellowfin tuna in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for yellowfin tuna in North Carolina?
27" curved FL min. Measured as curved fork length: snout to the fork of the tail, measured along the curve of the body.
How many yellowfin tuna can you keep in North Carolina?
3 per person per day.
When is yellowfin tuna season in North Carolina?
Year-round.
What is the North Carolina record yellowfin tuna?
237 lb, Off Cape Lookout (1979).
How current is this North Carolina yellowfin tuna 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.