Advertisement

North Carolina fishermen will have a chance to hook flounder for 2 weeks. Here's what to know

caitlyn stroh-page, wilmington starnews
·2 min read
The southern flounder is the most common flounder species found in North Carolina's coastal waters. Other flounder species are the summer and the gulf flounder.
The southern flounder is the most common flounder species found in North Carolina's coastal waters. Other flounder species are the summer and the gulf flounder.

Flounder is a popular catch for anglers in North Carolina. The fish has a mild taste and you don't have to travel to the deep sea to find them.

However, the decrease in flounder's population in North Carolina waters continues to limit the recreational fishing season, as officials work to stabilize the population.

"If recreational and commercial fishers can make it through these next few years with reduced seasons and quotas, the science suggests that the fishery will rebuild, and be better off because of our efforts," Scott Baker, a fisheries specialist with N.C. Sea Grant, told the Wilmington Star-News.

If you are preparing to fish for flounder this year, here's what you need to know.

Background: As flounder numbers flounder, NC fishermen stew over short recreational season

When is the North Carolina 2023 flounder season?

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries set the 2023 recreational flounder season for Sept. 15-29.

This season is half the length of the 2022 season, which lasted from Sept. 1-30. The 2021 season was adjusted as part of a sustainability effort. There was no spring flounder season in 2023.

According to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, the commercial southern flounder seasons are to be announced later.

What are the size limits for NC flounder season?

According to the Division of Marine Fisheries, "a one-fish per person per day creel limit and a 15-inch total length minimum size limit (from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail). These provisions apply to both the recreational hook-and-line and gig fisheries."

What species of flounder are in North Carolina?

Southern flounder, summer flounder and Gulf flounder are the three types of flounder commonly found in North Carolina. For descriptions, fishing tips are more information related to these fish, go to https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/public-information-and-education/species-profiles/flounder

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: NC flounder season 2023: Dates, limits and other info for fishing