Kingfishes across North Carolina
kingfishes, North Carolina limits and records.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 3 lb. 13 ozrecord
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Cláudio D. Timm, CC BY 2.0
kingfishes, the state picture
The state counts Kingfishes as a saltwater fish. For coastal and joint fishing waters, NCDMF lists no creel limit and no size limit.
The North Carolina record weighed 3 lb. 13 oz, from Kure Beach (2020). NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 1.5 pounds or greater.
NCDMF on kingfishes
“The three kingfish species in North Carolina waters, combined here in one profile, are all medium-sized fish with slender bodies and backs that appear slightly elevated. The southern kingfish are the most abundant of the three in North Carolina. They have a cone-shaped snout, a small mouth and a single rigid barb on the chin. Body color varies with the habitat, generally silvery gray on top, sometimes black and white below with dusky markings on the side often in the form of seven to eight dark bars. Juveniles are darker than adults.”
- SizeKingfish grow to 18 inches, but catches average at about 11 inches.
- HabitatKingfish range from Cape Cod, Mass., to Texas and may be found in the estuaries or the ocean on muddy and sandy bottoms.
- DietKingfish are bottom feeders that consume various shrimp, crabs and other crustaceans, as well as worms and small fish.
- Fishing tipsAnglers catch kingfish from piers, jetties and boats in the nearshore ocean, usually with two-hook bottom rigs baited with shrimp, mole crabs, bloodworms or squid. Anglers also use jigs or spec rigs to catch kingfish. Kingfish are often caught while fishing for weakfish.
- Also calledsea mullet, whiting, Virginia mullet, roundhead
- Confused withAtlantic croaker
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
Creel and size for kingfishes
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint 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.
State record kingfishes
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 3 lb. 13 oz | Kure Beach | 2020 |
| all tackle by weight | 3 lb. 8 oz. | Bogue Banks Pier | 1971 |
| all tackle by weight | 3 lb. 8 oz. | Bogue Banks Pier | 1971 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Kin to kingfishes
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
- Spanish mackerelsalt
kingfishes in a few answers
What size rule covers kingfishes?
no creel limit (Coastal and joint fishing waters), size no size limit.
What does the record kingfishes weigh?
3 lb. 13 oz from Kure Beach (2020).
Which habitats hold kingfishes?
Kingfish range from Cape Cod, Mass., to Texas and may be found in the estuaries or the ocean on muddy and sandy bottoms.
Will NCWRC stock kingfishes this year?
No 2026 stocking is listed.
How large can kingfishes grow?
Kingfish grow to 18 inches, but catches average at about 11 inches.
Are kingfishes open to harvest year-round?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
What license do kingfishes anglers carry?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Do charters target kingfishes?
No listing names it.
Chase kingfishes across North Carolina
Open a water above for ramps and limits.