Red Drum Scoping Information

Thank you for your help determining how Red Drum should be managed in North Carolina.

As part of a five-year review of North Carolina’s Red Drum Fishery Management Plan (FMP), the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking a closer look at the fishery and asked fishermen and other interested members of the public to share what they are seeing on the water and what they thought should be considered.

The latest stock assessment found that the northern Red Drum stock, which includes New Jersey through North Carolina, is not overfished and is not experiencing overfishing. However, North Carolina fishery-independent data show declining Red Drum abundance, while fishing effort and harvest have increased in other areas of the stock’s range.

During the October 1–30, 2026 scoping period, we asked people to share their ideas about how Red Drum should be managed. Their input helped DMF determine whether management changes should be considered.

If changes are needed, DMF will develop a proposed amendment to the Fishery Management Plan. If no changes are needed, DMF will develop an information update to maintain current management.

Learn more about Red Drum by reading the Red Drum Scoping Document here:

Red Drum Scoping Document

or by watching the Red Drum Scoping Information Presentation video below,