Sheepshead across North Carolina
North Carolina rules, records and waters for sheepshead.
- 5 a daydaily creel
- 19 lb. 4 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Dominic, CC BY 4.0
North Carolina sheepshead at a glance
In North Carolina, Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) counts as a saltwater sport fish. The NCWRC row for inland and joint fishing waters (ncwrc, hook and line) allows 5 a day, 14 in minimum.
In 1999, Off Oregon Inlet produced the record of 19 lb. 4 oz. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 8 pounds or greater.
The NCDMF profile of sheepshead
“Sheepshead are greenish-gray with a laterally compressed body marked by five or six vertical dark bars on the sides. They have prominent teeth with incisors, molars and rounded grinders that enable them to crush shellfish and sea urchins. They have strong, sharp spines on the dorsal and anal fins.”
- SizeSheepshead are common at around 30 inches and 5 to 15 pounds.
- HabitatSheepshead are found in saltwater and brackish coastal waters around jetties, wharfs, pilings, shipwrecks and other structures covered with barnacles, mussels and oysters.
- DietSheepshead have well-defined teeth to scrape and crush mollusks and crustaceans, such as fiddler crabs.
- Fishing tipsSheepshead are difficult to hook because they take the bait fast. To catch sheepshead, fishermen may choose hand lines, cane poles and spinning tackle and use fiddler crabs, barnacles, oysters, clams, crabs and shrimp for bait. Some anglers chum the area with crushed oysters or crabs before fishing.
- Also calledconvict fish
- Confused withblack drum, spadefish
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
sheepshead creel and size rules
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line) | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Heaviest sheepshead the state has recorded
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 19 lb. 4 oz. | Off Oregon Inlet | 1999 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species listed with sheepshead
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
- Spanish mackerelsalt
Shore and water close to Sheepshead
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain
Photo: suttonls, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Bernstein613, CC BY-SA 4.0
North Carolina sheepshead, answered
May North Carolina anglers keep sheepshead?
5 a day (Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line)), size 14 in minimum.
What is the North Carolina record sheepshead?
19 lb. 4 oz. from Off Oregon Inlet (1999).
Which North Carolina waters hold sheepshead?
Sheepshead are found in saltwater and brackish coastal waters around jetties, wharfs, pilings, shipwrecks and other structures covered with barnacles, mussels and oysters.
Where does NCWRC stock sheepshead?
NCWRC lists none for 2026.
What scientific name do agencies use for sheepshead?
Sheepshead are common at around 30 inches and 5 to 15 pounds.
Does North Carolina close the season on sheepshead?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
What license fee applies at sheepshead?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Are there guides for sheepshead?
See the guides page.