Red grouper across North Carolina
Limits, records and where to find red grouper.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 37 lb. 14.4 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC, Public domain
red grouper across North Carolina
Red grouper (Epinephelus morio) is a saltwater species in North Carolina. Under NCDMF rules (state and federal waters off north carolina (snapper-grouper complex)), the creel is no creel limit and the size rule is 20 in minimum.
A 37 lb. 14.4 oz. fish from Wilmington in 2019 holds the state record. NCDMF citation: No award given for this species.
North Carolina harvest rules for red grouper
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | State and federal waters off North Carolina (snapper-grouper complex) | no creel limit | 20 in minimum | June 1 – Dec. 31 |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
red grouper in the state record book
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 37 lb. 14.4 oz. | Wilmington | 2019 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
More red grouper neighbors
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
A look around Red grouper
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Dmanisgnarly, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: NS777, CC BY 4.0
Quick facts on red grouper
What daily limit applies to red grouper?
no creel limit (State and federal waters off North Carolina (snapper-grouper complex)), size 20 in minimum.
Does North Carolina keep a record for red grouper?
37 lb. 14.4 oz. from Wilmington (2019).
Where do North Carolina anglers find red grouper?
Agency notes are above.
Are red grouper stocked in North Carolina?
The 2026 list does not include it.
How do I recognize red grouper?
Scientific name Epinephelus morio.
In which months may I keep red grouper?
June 1 – Dec. 31
Do I need a CRFL for red grouper?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which captains run trips for red grouper?
No operator names it; try the guides page.
Hunt for red grouper
Every water named here has a page with ramps and limits.