NC Wildlife Commission announces limited 2024 flounder season
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) – The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has approved a temporary amendment to the flounder fishing regulations for 2024. Following a decision made at a recent NCWRC business meeting and subsequent approval by the N.C. Rules Review Commission, recreational flounder fishing will be allowed on two specific weekends this September.
According to the NCWRC, the 2024 recreational flounder season will be open for hook and line fishing in Inland Fishing Waters and Joint Fishing Waters on September 1-2 and September 7-8. Anglers will be limited to a daily creel of one flounder, with a minimum size of 15 inches.
“With the approval of the NCWRC and RRC, there will be a lawful recreational flounder season in both inland and joint fishing waters for hook and line only,” said Cameron Ingram, NCWRC Executive Director.
Anglers can identify the boundaries of inland and joint fishing waters using the NCWRC’s online fishing access area map. The map displays inland waters without color, joint waters outlined in red, and coastal waters in blue.
The NCWRC will be conducting a flounder harvest creel survey during the open season at various boating access areas. “We look forward to speaking with anglers to better understand fishing effort and flounder harvest during the shortened season,” said Corey Oakley, NCWRC Assistant Chief of Inland Fisheries.
The announcement comes after the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries decided not to open the recreational flounder season in 2024 due to the sector exceeding its 2023 harvest allotment. Initially, the NCWRC proposed closing the flounder harvest season in all Inland Fishing Waters and for hook and line fishing in Joint Fishing Waters to align with NCDMF’s decision. However, after reviewing data and public feedback, the Commission opted to provide a limited season to balance resource management with public interest.
Currently, flounder harvest allocations are divided 70% for the commercial sector and 30% for the recreational sector, as set by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission. This split is scheduled to shift to a 50-50 distribution by 2026.
In a letter from NCWRC Chairman Monty Crump, the Commission requested the NCMFC to accelerate this transition for 2024 to allow for a recreational flounder season coastwide. The four-day season approved by the NCWRC was designed to provide recreational anglers with a fishing opportunity without exceeding the harvest allotment, assuming the allocation shift occurs as requested.
