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Atlantic Croaker

Atlantic Croaker

Atlantic Croaker are bottom-dwelling sciaenids found throughout North Carolina's coastal and estuarine waters, earning their name from the distinctive croaking sounds they make during spawning by vibrating muscles against their swim bladder.

North Carolina's croaker population is currently under management action due to declining abundance trends.

Scientific Name: Micropogonias undulatus

Physical Characteristics:

These copper-colored fish with dark backs and irregular black spots can reach over 20 inches and weights exceeding 4 pounds, though most caught average 1-2 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

In North Carolina waters, they're most abundant from the Chesapeake Bay region down to northern Florida, with the state serving as a critical part of their range. Atlantic Croaker are habitat generalists in North Carolina, utilizing submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), wetlands, non-vegetated soft bottom areas, and shell bottom habitats throughout the state's extensive estuarine system, including the Pamlico Sound, Cape Fear estuary, and coastal rivers.

Key Locations

Fish the state's extensive estuarine system including the Pamlico Sound, Cape Fear River estuary, and coastal sounds around the Outer Banks. Key locations include the Intracoastal Waterway from Calabash to Southport, where Atlantic Croaker are among the most commonly caught species, and various coastal rivers and sounds throughout the state's 4,000+ miles of coastal shoreline.

Specific Spots

Focus on structure like oyster beds, bridges, piers, and deeper channel edges. Adults prefer muddy and sandy substrates in shallow waters, often around oyster beds, bridges, and piers. Juveniles concentrate in oligohaline and mesohaline waters (0.5-18 ppt salinity), particularly in deeper tidal creeks where salinity changes are minimal.

Atlantic Croaker FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Atlantic Croaker in North Carolina?

Natural baits including bloodworms, clams, peeler crabs, shrimp, squid strips, and cut bait. While artificial lures can work, natural baits are most effective since croakers are primarily bottom foragers.

When is the best time to fish for Atlantic Croaker in North Carolina?

May through September being peak fishing season along the coast. Target depths of 7-131 feet, though most inshore fishing occurs in much shallower water.

How do you catch Atlantic Croaker in North Carolina?

Bottom fishing. Best fishing occurs during moving tides, particularly as juveniles and adults move with tidal flows. Evening and early morning can be productive given their somewhat crepuscular feeding habits.

What do Atlantic Croaker eat?

They're opportunistic bottom feeders with diets dominated by polychaete worms, crustaceans, and small fish, exhibiting somewhat crepuscular feeding behavior.

Where do Atlantic Croaker live in North Carolina?

In North Carolina waters, they're most abundant from the Chesapeake Bay region down to northern Florida, with the state serving as a critical part of their range.

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