Raleigh – North Carolina anglers will have a two‑week window to harvest flounder this fall, as state marine and wildlife officials align regulations across all coastal, joint, and inland waters.

The 2026 recreational flounder season will run September 1–14, with a one‑fish daily creel limit and a 15‑inch minimum size, according to a new proclamation issued by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and a companion announcement from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC).

Season Dates & Limits

• Season: Sept. 1–14, 2026
• Daily creel limit: 1 flounder per angler
• Minimum size: 15 inches
• Applies to: Internal Coastal Waters, Joint Fishing Waters, Atlantic Ocean Waters, and Inland Fishing Waters
• Gear restriction: No harvest allowed using a Recreational Commercial Gear License (DMF Proclamation FF‑27‑2026)

“It shall be unlawful to possess flounder less than 15 inches total length.” “It shall be unlawful to possess more than one (1) flounder per person per day.” — N.C. Marine Fisheries Proclamation FF‑27‑2026

State Agencies Align Rules to Avoid Confusion

The NCWRC confirmed that its inland‑waters season will match DMF’s coastal regulations exactly.

• Ben Ricks, NCWRC Inland Fisheries Assistant Chief, said the agencies worked together to ensure “regulatory consistency and avoid angler confusion.”
• Both agencies now share the same:
  • Season dates
  • Size limit
  • Daily creel limit

This alignment means anglers fishing anywhere from the Cape Fear River to White Lake, or from Shallotte Inlet to Waccamaw River, will follow the same rules.

Key Rules Anglers Need to Know

• One fish per day — no exceptions
• 15-inch minimum
• No stacking limits: “It shall be unlawful to possess more than one daily creel limit per person while engaged in fishing or aboard a vessel.”
• No recreational commercial gear allowed for flounder harvest
• Harvest reporting required for flounder taken in Coastal, Joint, or Inland Waters
• Species identification matters — anglers must distinguish between southern, summer, and Gulf flounder

“It is important for anglers to properly identify the flounder species they harvest.” — Proclamation FF‑27‑2026

Why the Short Season?

The proclamation states the intent is to manage the fishery under Amendment 4 to the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan, which continues to require tight harvest restrictions to rebuild the stock.

Where to Learn More

• N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries: 252‑515‑5500
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission: ncwildlife.org
• Anglers are required to stay updated on proclamations, which may change.

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