NC sets new sheepshead regulations March 1

14-inch minimum size, 5-fish per day

Beginning March 1, 2026, North Carolina anglers will have new regulations for sheepshead, said the NC Division of Marine Fisheries.

The new regulations are as follows:

Minimum size limit: 14 inches

Bag limit: Five fish per person, per day

The minimum size limit will be measured as total length, not fork length, which is the current method of measurement for the species.

Until March 1, the minimum size limit is 10 inches, and the current bag limit is 10 per person, per day.

New limits are same as black drum

Marine Fisheries said they considered public input when coming up with the new regulations. They said the new rules are necessary because of increased fishing pressure on the species, especially among juvenile fish. The updated minimum size limit will allow many more fish to spawn before being harvested, they said.

They also said this change will align the sheepshead minimum size and bag limits with those of black drum, which they said some anglers often mistake for each other.

“Aligning the measurement point between the two species simplifies regulations for the public,” they said.

Commercial fishermen will also see their size limits change to 14 inches. Daily limits for them will also change, and will be based on the type of gear used.

For more information about North Carolina’s new sheepshead regulations, refer to deq.nc.gov.