Waterlands

Species guide · North Carolina

Atlantic croaker fishing in North Carolina

Micropogonias undulatus, an inshore species also called croaker, hardhead and pinhead. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 3 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Croatan and Roanoke Sounds at 76, one of 9 North Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season
Where it's scoring nowAll North Carolina waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

South Atlantic

Shoulder season, about 3 more weeks
  1. Jan: Off season
  2. Feb: Off season
  3. Mar: Off season
  4. Apr: Shoulder season
  5. May: Shoulder season
  6. Jun: Shoulder season
  7. Jul: Shoulder season
  8. Aug: Peak season
  9. Sep: Peak season
  10. Oct: Peak season
  11. Nov: Shoulder season
  12. Dec: Off season

Peak: Aug to Oct. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Nov.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

NCDMF says anglers catch croaker from spring through fall; larger fish show on piers and in inlets as they head offshore to spawn, which peaks in October. Present in South Carolina and Georgia estuaries most of the year.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 9

North Carolina bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's atlantic croaker score this hour.

1
76Great
Croatan and Roanoke Sounds

Best window today 3-9 PM (77) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 6 AM (78) · 49 named spots

2
75Great
Currituck Sound

Best window today 3-9 PM (77) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 6 AM (78) · 75 named spots

3
73Great
Alligator River

Best window today 3 PM-12 AM (74) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (76) · 26 named spots

4
73Great
Pamlico Sound

Best window today 3 PM-12 AM (74) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (77) · 331 named spots

5
71Great
Neuse and Bay Rivers

Best window today 3 PM-12 AM (73) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (75) · 260 named spots

6
69Great
Albemarle Sound

Best window today 3 PM-12 AM (71) · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (73) · 21 named spots

7
66Great
Coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 3-9 PM (69) · Best day Mon, Nov 9 at 5 PM (76) · 7 named spots

8
65Great
Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm

Best window today 3-9 PM (66) · Best day Tue, Nov 10 at 1 PM (71) · 1 named spot

9
62Good
Pamlico and Pungo Rivers

Best window today 5 PM-12 AM (74) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (76) · 134 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature
Feeds from 55°F to 90°F, best between 65°F and 82°F.
Water depth
2 to 40 ft of water.
Structure
Channel, oyster, pier, bridge, bay, estuary, surf and inlet, in that order of preference.
Tide and current
Prefers high tide and moving water, with light current.NCDMF says croaker fishing is best just before or just after high tide in channels or deep holes.
Light
Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
Pressure
Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits
18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Croaker feed on mud and sand bottom along channel edges, oyster bars, piers and deeper holes in bays and sounds, mostly in 5 to 30 feet of water. A two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and shrimp, bloodworm or squid catches them from piers, the surf and small boats. Fish the hours around high tide and into the evening.

Methods
bottom fishing
Lures
small jig heads tipped with bait, scented synthetic bait strips
Bait
shrimp, bloodworms, squid, clams, peeler crab

Regulations

NCDMF saltwater regulations Buy a North Carolina fishing license License types

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with NCDMF Nov 2, 2026.

No reviewed atlantic croaker rule for North Carolina is on file yet. Check with NCDMF before you keep one.

Other North Carolina species