King mackerel across North Carolina
North Carolina rules, records and waters for king mackerel.
- 3 a daydaily creel
- 82 lb. 4 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: ScubaBear68, CC BY 2.0
North Carolina king mackerel at a glance
In North Carolina, King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) counts as a saltwater sport fish. The NCWRC row for inland and joint fishing waters (ncwrc, hook and line) allows 3 a day, 24 in minimum.
In 1999, Off Ocracoke produced the record of 82 lb. 4 oz. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 30 pounds or greater. Award for the live release of fish, 45 inches or longer.
The NCDMF profile of king mackerel
“King mackerel are long, slender fish with greenish-blue backs and silvery sides. Faint bronze spots along the sides may fade as the fish get larger. They have large, forked tails and a lateral line that starts high and dips sharply downward at the second dorsal fin. King mackerel lack a black area on the anterior portion of the first dorsal fin.”
- SizeKing mackerel are found up to 72 inches, but most catches range between 30 and 45 inches.
- HabitatKing mackerel live in open ocean waters near the coast, from North Carolina to southeast Florida, making inshore and offshore migrations that are triggered by water temperature and food supply. In the winter, they congregate just inside the Gulf Stream along the edge of the continental shelf. In the
- DietKing mackerel are opportunistic carnivores that favor menhaden, mullet, thread herring, sardines and squid. Feeding fish often leap out of the water in pursuit of prey. Fishermen refer to this as “skyrocketing.”
- Fishing tipsAnglers catch king mackerel from boats or from the ends of ocean fishing piers. They are taken by trolling with various live and dead baitfish, spoons, jigs and other artificial lures. Slow trolling is the most popular method used. Multiple baits are pulled behind the boat at a very slow speed. Live
- Also calledkings; kingfish, snakes, smokers
- Confused withSpanish mackerel (see this mackerel identification guide )
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
king mackerel creel and size rules
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line) | 3 a day | 24 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | 3 a day | 24 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Heaviest king mackerel the state has recorded
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 82 lb. 4 oz. | Off Ocracoke | 1999 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species listed with king mackerel
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- Spanish mackerelsalt
Shore and water close to King mackerel
Photo: Jan Kronsell, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
North Carolina king mackerel, answered
May North Carolina anglers keep king mackerel?
3 a day (Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line)), size 24 in minimum.
What is the North Carolina record king mackerel?
82 lb. 4 oz. from Off Ocracoke (1999).
Which North Carolina waters hold king mackerel?
King mackerel live in open ocean waters near the coast, from North Carolina to southeast Florida, making inshore and offshore migrations that are triggered by water temperature and food supply. In the winter, they congregate just inside the
Where does NCWRC stock king mackerel?
NCWRC lists none for 2026.
What scientific name do agencies use for king mackerel?
King mackerel are found up to 72 inches, but most catches range between 30 and 45 inches.
Does North Carolina close the season on king mackerel?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
What license fee applies at king mackerel?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Are there guides for king mackerel?
See the guides page.
Go for king mackerel this year
Start with the lists above.