Hogfish across North Carolina
hogfish, North Carolina limits and records.
- 2 a daydaily creel
- 21 lb. 6 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Richard A. Ingebrigtsen, CC BY-SA 3.0
hogfish, the state picture
The state counts Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) as a saltwater fish. For state and federal waters off north carolina (snapper-grouper complex), NCDMF lists 2 a day and 17 in minimum.
The North Carolina record weighed 21 lb. 6 oz., from Frying Pan Shoals (2005). NCDMF citation: No award given for this species.
Creel and size for hogfish
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | State and federal waters off North Carolina (snapper-grouper complex) | 2 a day | 17 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
State record hogfish
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 21 lb. 6 oz. | Frying Pan Shoals | 2005 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Kin to hogfish
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
Scenes from waters by Hogfish
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: User:Dincher, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Pubdog (talk), Public domain
Photo: Sedna10387 (talk), Public domain
hogfish in a few answers
What size rule covers hogfish?
2 a day (State and federal waters off North Carolina (snapper-grouper complex)), size 17 in minimum.
What does the record hogfish weigh?
21 lb. 6 oz. from Frying Pan Shoals (2005).
Which habitats hold hogfish?
See the agency notes above.
Will NCWRC stock hogfish this year?
No 2026 stocking is listed.
How large can hogfish grow?
Scientific name Lachnolaimus maximus.
Are hogfish open to harvest year-round?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
What license do hogfish anglers carry?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Do charters target hogfish?
No listing names it.
Chase hogfish across North Carolina
Open a water above for ramps and limits.