Red snapper across North Carolina
Where red snapper live in North Carolina, with limits.
- 1 a daydaily creel
- 40 lb. 0 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0
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red snapper across the state
North Carolina anglers find Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in saltwater habitat. Creel and size (NCDMF, state and federal waters off north carolina (snapper-grouper complex)): 1 a day, no size limit.
The record book shows 40 lb. 0 oz. from Off Cape Lookout, 1970. NCDMF citation: No award given for this species.
North Carolina limits on red snapper
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | State and federal waters off North Carolina (snapper-grouper complex) | 1 a day | no size limit | Oct. 9-11, 2026 only |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Record red snapper from North Carolina
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 40 lb. 0 oz. | Off Cape Lookout | 1970 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species beside red snapper on the list
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
What is near Red snapper, in pictures
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 4.0
Photo: User:Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 4.0
Questions people send about red snapper
How many red snapper can I keep in North Carolina?
1 a day (State and federal waters off North Carolina (snapper-grouper complex)), size no size limit.
How heavy is the North Carolina record red snapper?
40 lb. 0 oz. from Off Cape Lookout (1970).
Which waters are best for red snapper?
Its habitat is described above.
Do NCWRC hatcheries raise red snapper?
No.
What other names does red snapper go by?
Scientific name Lutjanus campechanus.
When are red snapper in season?
Oct. 9-11, 2026 only
Which license works on red snapper?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which guides target red snapper?
No guide lists it.
Find red snapper close to home
Pick any lake or stream listed above.