North Carolina Striped Bass Management Areas
Striped bass seasons in 2026 for the Atlantic Ocean, Albemarle Sound, Roanoke River and Central Southern management areas, and inland reservoir limits.
Photo of Faison: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Striped bass by management area
| Area | Agency | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Ocean | NCDMF | Open year-round; 1 fish, 28-31 in TL slot |
| Albemarle Sound Management Area (ASMA) | NCDMF (coastal/joint) and NCWRC (inland tributaries) | Season closed; no harvest allowed |
| Roanoke River Management Area (RRMA) | NCWRC | Closed by proclamation in 2026 |
| Central Southern Management Area (CSMA): Tar-Pamlico and Neuse upstream lines | NCDMF and NCWRC | Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected |
| CSMA all other waters including Cape Fear River and tributaries | NCDMF and NCWRC | Closed; unlawful to possess |
NCDMF and NCWRC striped bass pages and proclamation FF-19-2026, checked October 2026.
Every striped bass rule in the tables
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | Impounded inland waters and their tributaries except listed waters | 4 a day | 20 in minimum | No closed season |
| NCWRC | Roanoke River Striped Bass Management Area (Roanoke, Cashie, Eastmost and Middle rivers from Roanoke Rapids Dam to Albemarle Sound, and trib | 1 a day | 18 to 22 in | By proclamation only |
| NCWRC | Central-Southern Management Area inland and joint waters: Cape Fear River and tributaries (Buckhorn Dam to U.S. 17-74-76 bridge, Wilmington) | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| NCWRC | Central-Southern Management Area inland and joint waters: Tar-Pamlico River above Gum Point-Fork Point line and Neuse River above Cooper Poi | 1 a day | 22-27 in protected (no fish possessed between 22 and 27 inches) | April 1-30, 2026 |
| NCWRC | Lake Mattamuskeet; Pee Dee River and tributaries below Blewett Falls Dam | 3 a day | 18 in minimum | No closed season |
| NCDMF | Atlantic Ocean (0-3 miles) | 1 a day | 28-31 in harvest slot | Year-round |
| NCDMF | Albemarle Sound Management Area (Albemarle, Currituck, Roanoke and Croatan sounds and joint/inland tributaries except Roanoke River) | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| NCDMF | Central Southern Management Area internal coastal and joint waters: Tar-Pamlico (west of Gum Point-Fork Point) and Neuse (west of Cooper Poi | 1 a day | 22-27 in protected | April 1-30, 2026 |
| NCDMF | Central Southern Management Area, all other internal coastal and joint waters (incl. Cape Fear River and tributaries, Snow's Cut) | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
Which area a water falls in
The Albemarle Sound Management Area covers Albemarle, Currituck, Croatan and Roanoke sounds and their tributaries. The Roanoke River area runs from Roanoke Rapids Dam to Albemarle Sound. The Central Southern area covers the remaining coastal rivers, including the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse and Cape Fear. Ocean waters out to 3 miles have their own slot.
Pages on this site assign each sound, pier and ramp to an area by its position; the proclamation text governs at the boundaries.
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North Carolina Striped Bass Management Areas questions
Is striped bass open in Albemarle Sound?
No; the 2026 season is closed with no harvest.
Can I keep a striper in the Roanoke River?
No; the 2026 season is closed by proclamation.
What is the ocean striped bass limit?
1 fish, 28 to 31 inches, year-round in the Atlantic Ocean.
Was the Neuse open for stripers in 2026?
Yes, April 1-30, 2026, 1 fish with an 18-inch minimum and 22-27 inches protected.
Is the Cape Fear open for striped bass?
No; it is closed by rule.
What about reservoirs?
4 in combination with Bodie bass, 20-inch minimum, unless a water is listed.
Do I report striped bass harvest?
Yes, from inland or joint waters next to coastal waters, under the 2026-27 rule.
Which agency sets these seasons?
NCDMF in coastal and joint waters, NCWRC in inland waters, often by joint proclamation.
Other North Carolina limits pages
- Inland Waters LimitsNCWRC limits for inland waters
- Coastal and Joint Waters LimitsNCDMF and NCWRC limits for coastal and joint waters
- Mountain Trout Classes and SeasonsHatchery Supported, Delayed Harvest, Wild and Catch and Release rules
- License and feeswho needs one, prices