Finally, flounder season!
Sept. 1, 2021 is opening day for flounder anglers in North Carolina waters. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries reminds anglers that certificates are available to anglers for catching certain flounder.
Saltwater Fishing Tournament
The division will issue North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament citations for flounder catches that weigh 5 pounds or more during the recreational flounder season.
A North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament citation is a certificate, suitable for framing, that shows the name of the angler and the species, weight, and date of the catch. The division does not issue citations for flounder when the recreational season is closed.
Anglers who wish to apply for a flounder citation must do two things:
- Weigh the fish at one of the Official North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament Weigh Stations to verify that it meets the weight requirement.
- Submit an application through the online Flounder Citation Application Form.
Citations will not be issued for released fish.
Recreational Flounder Season
The 2021 recreational flounder season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14 in internal and ocean waters of North Carolina. The minimum size limit will remain at 15 inches total length, and the creel limit will remain at four fish per person per day during the open recreational season.
Since all species of flounder are managed under the same recreational regulations, the recreational season applies to all recreational flounder.
Recreational fishermen using gill nets with a Recreational Commercial Gear License may not participate in flounder season this year.
For more information about donating a flounder carcass, applying for a Saltwater Fishing Tournament citation for flounder, or recreational flounder season go to the 2021 Recreational Flounder Season Information webpage.
Be the first to comment