NCDMF closes seatrout harvest through June 30

Speckled trout closure impacts recreational and commercial anglers

Due to what North Carolina’s Division of Marine Fisheries called “widespread cold stun events,” all Coastal and Joint fishing waters in North Carolina have been closed to the harvest of spotted seatrout as of Feb. 6, 2026 and will remain closed until June 30.

From Hyde County to Pender County, the Division confirmed 10 locations that experienced significant spotted seatrout cold stun events during late January and early February.

The closure is for both commercial and recreational anglers.

“Many spotted seatrout die from the cold,” the Division said. “Others will fall prey to birds and other predators. Studies suggest that cold stun events can have a significant impact on spotted seatrout populations.”

The closure follows Amendment 1 to the N.C. Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan, which states that if a significant cold stun event occurs, the Divison of Marine Fisheries will close all seatrout harvests through the spring.

The closure, said the Division, is to allow surviving seatrout a chance to spawn this spring before anglers are allowed to harvest these fish. Peak spawning for the species takes place from May to July.