Spotted Sea Trout FMP Amendment 1

The Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to meet November 20-22, 2024 at the Islander Hotel and Resort in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The address for the hotel is:

102 Islander Dr Emerald Isle, NC 28594

If you are a speckled trout fisherman in the state of North Carolina then this meeting is of utmost importance to participate in!

The Division of Marine Fisheries has proposed draft recommendations to curtail harvest in the speckled trout fishery. Please see the below recommendations from the NC DMF: 

Preliminary Division management recommendation for both sectors:

• Statewide harvest closure Jan. through Feb.

Preliminary Division management recommendation for recreational fishery:

• 14”–20” slot limit with allowance for one fish >26”
• 3 fish bag limit

Preliminary Division management recommendation for commercial fishery:

• 11:59 p.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday closure from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31
• No changes to Bogue Banks stop net quota, but formalize management in Amendment 1

Preliminary Division supplemental and cold stun management recommendations:

• Eliminate spotted seatrout captain/crew limit on for-hire trips
• Extend harvest closure following a severe cold stun through Jun. 30

For questions, contact Lucas Pensinger, Lucas.Pensinger@deq.nc.gov or Melinda Lambert, Melinda.Lambert@deq.nc.gov.

Now is the time to speack up about the future of our Speckled Trout Fishery, you can submit public comment below: 

NC Marine Fisheries Commission Comment Form | NC DEQ