North Carolina’s Spotted Seatrout fishery will reopen to recreational and commercial harvest in joint and coastal waters on July 1, 2025, following a cold stun closure. Upon reopening of the fishery, new management from Amendment 1 to the Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan will be implemented.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission adopted the amendment in March 2025. Management changes include:
Recreational
• A 14- to 20-inch slot limit with an allowance for one fish over 26 inches
• A 3-fish individual bag limit
Commercial
• An 11:59 p.m. Friday through 12:01 a.m. Monday commercial harvest closure from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30
• An 11:59 p.m. Friday through 12:01 a.m. Tuesday closure from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31
For specific recreational and commercial regulations, see proclamation FF-22-2025.
Changes to cold stun management include extending the harvest closure by 15 days, through June 30, following a cold stun event.
For more information see the Spotted Seatrout Amendment 1 Information Page.