Spotted seatrout across North Carolina
North Carolina rules, records and waters for spotted seatrout.
- 3 a daydaily creel
- 12 lb. 8 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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North Carolina spotted seatrout at a glance
In North Carolina, Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) counts as a saltwater sport fish. The NCWRC row for inland and joint fishing waters (ncwrc, hook and line) allows 3 a day, 20-26 in protected; only 1 over 26 in.
In 2022, Neuse River produced the record of 12 lb. 8 oz. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 5 pounds or greater. Award for live release of fish, 24 inches or longer.
The NCDMF profile of spotted seatrout
“The spotted seatrout has a long, slender body with a dark bluish-silvery-gray back and silvery sides. Its body is marked by round, black spots on the back, upper sides and extending into the second dorsal fin and the caudal fin. The upper jaw has two large, curved, canine-like teeth.”
- SizeSpotted seatrout, on average, are 15 to 25 inches in length and 2 to 4 pounds, but they grow to as large as 40 inches and 12 pounds.
- HabitatThe fish is found in rivers, estuaries and shallow coastal waters over sandy bottoms. It is often associated with seagrass beds, as well as salt marshes and tidal pools of high salinity. Its geographical range runs from New York to the northern part of Mexico but the fish is rare north of Virginia.
- DietSpotted seatrout feed on shrimp, crabs and fishes like mullet and Atlantic menhaden. Adults form schools and move onto shoals to feed with the incoming tide.
- Fishing tipsAnglers catch fish on light to medium spinning tackle using a variety of artificial bait. Popular baits include shrimp and minnows suspended from a float. Artificially scented lures are also popular.
- Also calledspeckled trout, southern spotted weakfish, speck
- Confused withweakfish
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
spotted seatrout creel and size rules
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line) | 3 a day | 20-26 in protected; only 1 over 26 in | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters including the Atlantic Ocean | 3 a day | 14-20 in, plus 1 over 26 in | Open (reopened July 1, 2026) |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Heaviest spotted seatrout the state has recorded
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 12 lb. 8 oz. | Neuse River | 2022 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species listed with spotted seatrout
- Red drumsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
- Spanish mackerelsalt
Shore and water close to Spotted seatrout
Photo: Morgan Riley, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
North Carolina spotted seatrout, answered
May North Carolina anglers keep spotted seatrout?
3 a day (Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line)), size 20-26 in protected; only 1 over 26 in.
What is the North Carolina record spotted seatrout?
12 lb. 8 oz. from Neuse River (2022).
Which North Carolina waters hold spotted seatrout?
The fish is found in rivers, estuaries and shallow coastal waters over sandy bottoms. It is often associated with seagrass beds, as well as salt marshes and tidal pools of high salinity. Its geographical range runs from New York to the nort
Where does NCWRC stock spotted seatrout?
Trout are stocked in Hatchery Supported and Delayed Harvest waters; NCWRC does not split the schedule by species.
What scientific name do agencies use for spotted seatrout?
Spotted seatrout, on average, are 15 to 25 inches in length and 2 to 4 pounds, but they grow to as large as 40 inches and 12 pounds.
Does North Carolina close the season on spotted seatrout?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
What license fee applies at spotted seatrout?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Are there guides for spotted seatrout?
See the guides page.
Go for spotted seatrout this year
Start with the lists above.