Recreational anglers will have a limited opportunity to harvest Gulf Flounder this spring, as the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries opens a two-week season in ocean waters off the central and southeastern coast.
The 2026 spring Gulf Flounder season runs from March 9 through March 22, and is open only to hook-and-line fishing in ocean waters from the north end of Portsmouth Island (south of Ocracoke Inlet) to the South Carolina line.
Key Regulations
- Season Dates: March 9–22, 2026
- Location: Ocean waters only (not sounds or estuaries)
- Gear Allowed: Recreational hook-and-line only
- Bag Limit: One fish per person per day
- Size Limit: Minimum 15-inch total length
These rules are part of Amendment 4 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan, which aims to reduce pressure on the overfished Southern Flounder population while allowing limited harvest of Gulf and Summer Flounder.
Why This Season Matters
North Carolina anglers commonly catch three flounder species: Southern, Summer, and Gulf. Southern Flounder is currently overfished, and overfishing is still occurring, prompting stricter regulations.
The spring season was designed to give recreational fishermen a chance to harvest Gulf and Summer Flounder when the likelihood of catching Southern Flounder is lower. However, Summer Flounder remains under federal management and will not be included in this spring season.
Species Identification Is Critical
Anglers are urged to correctly identify their catch. The Gulf Flounder is recognizable by three dark spots arranged in a triangle on its eyed side. Misidentifying and harvesting Southern Flounder during this season could impact the fall quota.
If uncertain, anglers are encouraged to release the fish to avoid unintended quota impacts.
New Reporting Requirements
A new state law requires anglers to report harvests of flounder, Striped Bass, Spotted Seatrout, Weakfish (gray trout), and Red Drum. This is separate from the Marine Recreational Information Program, which still collects representative data through angler interviews.
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