Dolphinfish across North Carolina
Creel rules, records and waters for dolphinfish.
- 10 a daydaily creel
- 79 lb. 0 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: (c) Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), some rights reserved (CC BY), CC BY 4.0
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About North Carolina dolphinfish
Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is listed among the state’s saltwater species. Anglers may keep 10 a day under NCDMF (coastal fishing waters); size no size limit.
Cape Hatteras gave up the state record of 79 lb. 0 oz. in 1993. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 35 pounds or greater.
NCDMF notes on dolphinfish
“The dolphin has bright turquoise, green and yellow patterns, which fade almost immediately upon death. Its body tapers sharply from head to tail and has irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over the sides. Dolphins have a single dark dorsal fin extending from just behind the head to the tail.”
- SizeDolphins are common up to 50 pounds.
- HabitatDolphins are found in offshore warm waters and are attracted to Sargassum, a seaweed, which serves as a hiding place and source of food. As shallower Continental Shelfwaters warm in the summer, the fish move closer to shore, and are occasionally found within 10 miles of the coast.
- DietDolphins feed on food associated with Sargassum, such as small fish, crabs and shrimp. They may also pursue fast-swimming fish, such as flying fish or mackerels. Often man-made garbage is entangled in the floating Sargassum and is consumed by dolphins, which mistake the trash for food. Plastic wrapp
- Fishing tipsSport fishermen catch dolphin by trolling artificial and natural baits from large boats. Bailing, another popular method, consists of keeping one live fish in the water to attract others to the boat and incite them into a frenzy.
- Also calleddolphin, mahi mahi, dorado
- Confused withpompano dolphin , bottlenose dolphin
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
The dolphinfish creel
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal fishing waters | 10 a day | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
The dolphinfish record
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 79 lb. 0 oz. | Cape Hatteras | 1993 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Fish that pair with dolphinfish
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
Nearby water from Dolphinfish, in photos
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: RoxylovesHistory, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Indy beetle, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Before you target dolphinfish
What is the creel limit on dolphinfish?
10 a day (Coastal fishing waters), size no size limit.
What is the biggest dolphinfish caught in North Carolina?
79 lb. 0 oz. from Cape Hatteras (1993).
Which lakes hold dolphinfish?
Dolphins are found in offshore warm waters and are attracted to Sargassum, a seaweed, which serves as a hiding place and source of food. As shallower Continental Shelfwaters warm in the summer, the fish move closer to shore, and are occasio
Are dolphinfish on the stocking list?
It is not on the 2026 warmwater list.
What is dolphinfish confused with?
Dolphins are common up to 50 pounds.
When does the dolphinfish season run?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
Which North Carolina license do I need for dolphinfish?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Can I hire a trip that targets dolphinfish?
Every operator appears on the guides page.
Map out a dolphinfish trip
Each listed water has its own page.