OutdoorHub
North Carolina Announces Two-Week Flounder Season for 2025
After completely canceling the 2024 recreational flounder season, North Carolina officials have announced that anglers will get another chance at the state’s most popular sportfish this fall, though with strict limitations.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission jointly announced Wednesday that a recreational flounder season will open September 1 through September 14 in both coastal and inland waters. The two-week window represents a significant restriction compared to previous years, reflecting ongoing concerns about the health of the Southern flounder population.
Under the new regulations, anglers will be limited to one flounder per person per day, with a minimum size requirement of 15 inches total length. The season applies to both hook-and-line and gig fisheries, and harvest with recreational commercial gear licenses will be prohibited.
Make it count: North Carolina’s 2025 flounder season runs Sept. 1-14 with a one-fish daily limit, giving anglers their first chance at the state’s signature coastal gamefish since 2023.
The brief season length stems from North Carolina’s Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3, which requires annual season and possession limits to keep recreational harvest within established quotas. The current 2025 recreational quota stands at 212,941 pounds, representing 40% of the overall quota allocation.
Marine fisheries officials hope to ease these restrictions soon. The Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to vote on Amendment 4 at its August 20-22 meeting. This amendment would shift to a 50-50 split between commercial and recreational sectors. This change would increase the recreational quota by 53,235 pounds to 266,176 pounds, potentially reducing the risk of quota overages plaguing the fishery.
Recovery from 2024 Cancellation
The announcement comes after a tumultuous period for North Carolina’s flounder fishery. The complete cancellation of the 2024 recreational season sparked widespread criticism from anglers and coastal politicians, reigniting long-standing tensions between recreational and commercial fishing interests.
The cancellation occurred because the 2023 recreational harvest exceeded the quota allowed under the stock rebuilding plan implemented in 2022, requiring the excess to be subtracted from the following year’s allowance. This regulatory action prompted coastal legislators to push for guaranteed minimum seasons, though such efforts ultimately failed in the General Assembly.
The controversy also drew criticism from Rep. Frank Iler (R-Brunswick), who sent an open letter to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality challenging the agency’s management approach and calling for legislative intervention if improvements aren’t made.
Looking Ahead
While recreational anglers prepare for their September opportunity, commercial flounder fishermen await their season announcement. Marine fisheries officials plan to release details about the 2025 commercial season for internal coastal and joint fishing waters in the coming weeks.
Fresh flounder being cleaned and filleted.
The tight restrictions reflect the ongoing challenges facing North Carolina’s flounder populations, which biologists say are among several popular coastal species struggling with overfishing pressure. The September season represents a cautious step toward reopening recreational opportunities while maintaining the necessary conservation measures for long-term stock recovery.
For anglers planning to target flounder during the brief window, the season runs from September 1 at 12:01 a.m. through September 14 at 11:59 p.m., providing just two weeks to pursue what many consider the Tar Heel State’s most traditional and beloved coastal gamefish.
The post North Carolina Announces Two-Week Flounder Season for 2025 appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...
North Carolina Announces Two-Week Flounder Season for 2025
After completely canceling the 2024 recreational flounder season, North Carolina officials have announced that anglers will get another chance at the state’s most popular sportfish this fall, though with strict limitations.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission jointly announced Wednesday that a recreational flounder season will open September 1 through September 14 in both coastal and inland waters. The two-week window represents a significant restriction compared to previous years, reflecting ongoing concerns about the health of the Southern flounder population.
Under the new regulations, anglers will be limited to one flounder per person per day, with a minimum size requirement of 15 inches total length. The season applies to both hook-and-line and gig fisheries, and harvest with recreational commercial gear licenses will be prohibited.
Make it count: North Carolina’s 2025 flounder season runs Sept. 1-14 with a one-fish daily limit, giving anglers their first chance at the state’s signature coastal gamefish since 2023.
The brief season length stems from North Carolina’s Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3, which requires annual season and possession limits to keep recreational harvest within established quotas. The current 2025 recreational quota stands at 212,941 pounds, representing 40% of the overall quota allocation.
Marine fisheries officials hope to ease these restrictions soon. The Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to vote on Amendment 4 at its August 20-22 meeting. This amendment would shift to a 50-50 split between commercial and recreational sectors. This change would increase the recreational quota by 53,235 pounds to 266,176 pounds, potentially reducing the risk of quota overages plaguing the fishery.
Recovery from 2024 Cancellation
The announcement comes after a tumultuous period for North Carolina’s flounder fishery. The complete cancellation of the 2024 recreational season sparked widespread criticism from anglers and coastal politicians, reigniting long-standing tensions between recreational and commercial fishing interests.
The cancellation occurred because the 2023 recreational harvest exceeded the quota allowed under the stock rebuilding plan implemented in 2022, requiring the excess to be subtracted from the following year’s allowance. This regulatory action prompted coastal legislators to push for guaranteed minimum seasons, though such efforts ultimately failed in the General Assembly.
The controversy also drew criticism from Rep. Frank Iler (R-Brunswick), who sent an open letter to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality challenging the agency’s management approach and calling for legislative intervention if improvements aren’t made.
Looking Ahead
While recreational anglers prepare for their September opportunity, commercial flounder fishermen await their season announcement. Marine fisheries officials plan to release details about the 2025 commercial season for internal coastal and joint fishing waters in the coming weeks.
Fresh flounder being cleaned and filleted.
The tight restrictions reflect the ongoing challenges facing North Carolina’s flounder populations, which biologists say are among several popular coastal species struggling with overfishing pressure. The September season represents a cautious step toward reopening recreational opportunities while maintaining the necessary conservation measures for long-term stock recovery.
For anglers planning to target flounder during the brief window, the season runs from September 1 at 12:01 a.m. through September 14 at 11:59 p.m., providing just two weeks to pursue what many consider the Tar Heel State’s most traditional and beloved coastal gamefish.
The post North Carolina Announces Two-Week Flounder Season for 2025 appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...