Tarpon across North Carolina
Where tarpon live in North Carolina, with limits.
- none may be keptdaily creel
- 193 lb. 5 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Albert kok, CC BY-SA 3.0
tarpon across the state
North Carolina anglers find Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in saltwater habitat. Creel and size (NCWRC, inland and joint fishing waters (ncwrc, hook and line)): none may be kept, no size limit.
The record book shows 193 lb. 5 oz. from Sea View Pier, 2008.
North Carolina limits on tarpon
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line) | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Record tarpon from North Carolina
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 193 lb. 5 oz. | Sea View Pier | 2008 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species beside tarpon 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 Tarpon, in pictures
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: DiscoA340, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Questions people send about tarpon
How many tarpon can I keep in North Carolina?
none may be kept (Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line)), size no size limit.
How heavy is the North Carolina record tarpon?
193 lb. 5 oz. from Sea View Pier (2008).
Which waters are best for tarpon?
Its habitat is described above.
Do NCWRC hatcheries raise tarpon?
No.
What other names does tarpon go by?
Scientific name Megalops atlanticus.
When are tarpon in season?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
Which license works on tarpon?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which guides target tarpon?
No guide lists it.
Find tarpon close to home
Pick any lake or stream listed above.