The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has announced the opening of the 2025 recreational flounder season. The season will commence on September 1 at 12:01 a.m. and conclude on September 14 at 11:59 p.m. in the state’s Coastal and Joint waters.
Recreational anglers using hook-and-line and gig fisheries are subject to a one-fish per person daily creel limit, with a minimum size requirement of 15 inches in total length. Flounder harvesting under a Recreational Commercial Gear License is prohibited during this period.
This season aligns with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s timeline, maintaining consistent regulations across jurisdictions. These measures comply with Amendment 3 of the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan, which aims to keep catches within the recreational quota set at 212,941 pounds for 2025, representing 40% of the total allowable catch.
An upcoming vote by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is expected at their August meeting regarding Draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4. If adopted, it would establish an equal distribution between commercial and recreational sectors, each receiving a quota of 266,176 pounds—a significant increase for recreational fishers by over fifty-three thousand pounds—to mitigate potential overages.
Further details on this year’s recreational flounder season can be found in Proclamation FF-25-2025. A separate announcement will provide information about the commercial flounder season for internal Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters shortly.
