Bill aimed at restoring NC flounder fishing season passes house, heads to senate

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A bill that passed the North Carolina House earlier this month could restore the state’s recreational flounder fishing season. 

House Bill 442 was introduced by Representative Frank Iler of Brunswick county. 

If passed, the bill would require the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries to open state waters for flounder through 2029. 

It also would order marine fisheries to hold a recreational fishing season of at least six weeks between May 15 and November 15. Catches would be limited to one flounder, per person, per day, with no limits for the season. 

This comes after regulators cancelled the recreational flounder season last year due to overfishing concerns. Though North Carolina was the only state in the southeast to completely cancel its season. 

The effective ban on recreational flounder fishing impacted charter boat businesses across the state—including Tony Talman, who owns Reel Teal charters in Carolina Beach. 

These days—he says—very few charter boats even offer flounder fishing. 

“You as a charter boat captain had to switch up your whole situation, you know what I mean, I mean if there wasn’t that season. A lot of people come down to fish for flounder,” he explained. 

As Rep. Iler notes, many fishers traveled to states like South Carolina, which has a flounder season nearly four months long, lasting from July 1 to October 31. 

“You can go ten miles from Ocean Isle Beach to Little River and get all the flounder you want,” Iler said. “We’re running people to other states, and we’ve got the strictest laws between Maine and Texas.” 

Talman says he understands why conservation is important, but like many fishermen, feel the regulations are a bridge too far. 

“I’m not the one doing the scientific stuff on it, but in my opinion, if you can go out and catch 9 or 10 flounder, and you’re not targeting flounder, I think the flounder population is coming back,” he said. 

Talman adds if the bill is passed, it could mean a big boost for charter captains like him. 

“I mean if it comes in May to when they’re talking about it, I mean that’s your main charter business area,” he said. 

The bill passed the House earlier this month and now waits in the Senate before it’s called for a vote.