Bluefin tuna across North Carolina
North Carolina rules, records and waters for bluefin tuna.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 877 lb. 0 oz.record
Pick for bluefinPiscifun AlinoX 400 baitcaster with bait clicker25% OFFSale $149.99 Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain
North Carolina bluefin tuna at a glance
In North Carolina, Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) counts as a saltwater sport fish. The NCDMF row for coastal fishing waters allows no creel limit, no size limit.
In 2017, Off Oregon Inlet produced the record of 877 lb. 0 oz. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 200 pounds or greater. Award for live release of fish, 70 inches or longer.
For the bluefin herePiscifun Saltflow offshore rod25% OFFSale $299.99 bluefin tuna creel and size rules
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal fishing waters | no creel limit | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Heaviest bluefin tuna the state has recorded
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 877 lb. 0 oz. | Off Oregon Inlet | 2017 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species listed with bluefin tuna
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
Shore and water close to Bluefin tuna
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain
Photo: Dincher, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
North Carolina bluefin tuna, answered
May North Carolina anglers keep bluefin tuna?
no creel limit (Coastal fishing waters), size no size limit.
What is the North Carolina record bluefin tuna?
877 lb. 0 oz. from Off Oregon Inlet (2017).
Which North Carolina waters hold bluefin tuna?
Check the profile on this page.
Where does NCWRC stock bluefin tuna?
NCWRC lists none for 2026.
What scientific name do agencies use for bluefin tuna?
Scientific name Thunnus thynnus.
Does North Carolina close the season on bluefin tuna?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
What license fee applies at bluefin tuna?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Are there guides for bluefin tuna?
See the guides page.