Sharks across North Carolina
North Carolina rules, records and waters for sharks.
- 1 a daydaily creel
- 1,150 lb. 0 oz.record
Photo of Calypso: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
North Carolina sharks at a glance
In North Carolina, Sharks counts as a saltwater sport fish. The NCDMF row for coastal and joint fishing waters allows 1 a day, no size limit.
In 1966, Yaupon Beach Pier produced the record of 1,150 lb. 0 oz. NCDMF citation: Award given for the live release of fish, 80 inches or longer.
sharks creel and size rules
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | 1 a day | no size limit | Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 |
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | 1 a day | 78 in minimum | Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 |
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | 1 a day | 54 in minimum | Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Heaviest sharks the state has recorded
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 1,150 lb. 0 oz. | Yaupon Beach Pier | 1966 |
| all tackle by weight | 589 lb. 1 oz. | off Oak Island | 2023 |
| all tackle by weight | 478 lb. 0 oz. | Crystal Fishing Pier | 1961 |
| all tackle by weight | 421 lb. 8 oz. | Kure Beach Pier | 1978 |
| all tackle by weight | 234 lb. 0 oz. | South of Cape Point | 1990 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species listed with sharks
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
Shore and water close to Sharks
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Ammodramus, CC0 1.0
North Carolina sharks, answered
May North Carolina anglers keep sharks?
1 a day (Coastal and joint fishing waters), size no size limit.
What is the North Carolina record sharks?
1,150 lb. 0 oz. from Yaupon Beach Pier (1966).
Which North Carolina waters hold sharks?
Check the profile on this page.
Where does NCWRC stock sharks?
NCWRC lists none for 2026.
What scientific name do agencies use for sharks?
See the agency profile.
Does North Carolina close the season on sharks?
Jan. 1 – Dec. 31
What license fee applies at sharks?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Are there guides for sharks?
See the guides page.