North Carolina sets 2026 recreational flounder season dates
(WWAY) — Recreational anglers will have two weeks to harvest flounder in North Carolina waters this year.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries announced the 2026 recreational flounder season will open Sept. 1 and run through Sept. 14 in Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters.
The season dates are the same as those offered in 2025.
“North Carolina’s decision to open the 2026 recreational season to match last year’s season stems from a review of recreational data from 2025 and deliberate management actions aimed at balancing sustainability with angler access,” Division of Marine Fisheries Director Kathy Rawls said in a statement. “Whenever we can, we aim to provide some consistency in the recreational flounder seasons from year to year.”
The season, size and bag limits comply with provisions of the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s flounder season also will run Sept. 1-14, making the season, size limit and daily bag limit consistent across jurisdictions.
Under the regulations:
- The season opens Sept. 1 at 12:01 a.m. and closes Sept. 14 at 11:59 p.m.
- Anglers may keep one flounder per person per day.
- The minimum size limit is 15 inches total length.
- All harvested flounder must be reported to the Division of Marine Fisheries through an online form or iPhone app.
- Only hook-and-line and gig fisheries are allowed.
- Harvesting flounder with a Recreational Commercial Gear License is prohibited.
The commercial flounder season for internal Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters will be announced at a later date through a separate news release and proclamation.
