NC Division of Marine Fisheries seeking Gulf Flounder carcass donations during spring season

MOREHEAD CITY, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is asking recreational anglers to donate Gulf Flounder carcasses during the 2026 spring season to support research on the species.

The agency announced updated freezer locations where fishermen can drop off carcasses during the season, which runs March 9 through March 22 in ocean waters from Portsmouth Island to the South Carolina line.

Biologists will use the donated fish remains to gather scientific data, including measuring the fish, determining sex when possible and removing otoliths, or ear bones, to determine the fish’s age.

Recreational anglers who donate a legally harvested Gulf Flounder carcass and complete a catch card will be entered into a drawing to win one of five tackle bags filled with fishing gear. Only one entry per fish and one prize per person is allowed.

Catch cards and donation supplies are available at each freezer location, and anglers must fill out the cards completely and accurately to qualify for the prize drawing.

The Division’s Carcass Collection Program has set up eight donation sites along the North Carolina coast:

• Cape Pointe Marina, 1390 Island Rd., Harkers Island
• Chasin Tails Outdoors Bait & Tackle, 709 Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach
• C. Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City
• Pelagic Hunter, 104 James St., Sneads Ferry
• Intracoastal Angler, 6332 Oleander Dr., Wilmington
• Carolina Beach Municipal Docks, Carl Winner Drive, Carolina Beach
• Clem’s Seafood, 4351 Long Beach Rd. SE, Southport
• Ocean Isle Fishing Center, 65 Causeway Dr., Ocean Isle Beach

When cleaning fish for donation, anglers are asked to leave the head and tail intact and avoid removing the guts or reproductive organs if possible. Anglers fishing on charter or head boats should let fish cleaners know the carcass will be donated.

The recreational Gulf Flounder season opens at 12:01 a.m. on March 9 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 22. Anglers are limited to one fish per person per day, with a minimum size limit of 15 inches.

Officials also remind anglers that under a new state law, harvested flounder must still be reported to the Division of Marine Fisheries. The reporting requirement also applies to striped bass, spotted seatrout, weakfish and red drum.