NCDMF says yes to 4-day flounder season in joint waters

NC’s 2024 flounder season is for inland and joint waters only

Many North Carolina anglers have been a bit confused about the 4-day flounder season set by NCWRC in joint and inland waters for 2024, but they should have a bit of clarity after NCDMF director Kathy Rawls issued a proclamation that sets a recreational bag limit of one fish per person, per day, with a 15-inch minimum size limit, for flounder caught by hook-and-line in Joint Fishing Waters on Sept. 1, 2, 7 and 8. This matches up with the regulations and dates established by NCWRC.

NCDMF governs what takes place in coastal waters, and depending on certain circumstances, sometimes in joint waters. NCWRC is responsible for what happens in inland waters, and in most circumstances, also in joint waters. But some anglers expressed confusion, and wondered if NCDMF officials might decide to flex their muscles in joint waters, because NCDMF announced earlier this year that the state would hold no recreational flounder season for 2024. However, NCWRC announced a 2024 recreational flounder season in inland and joint waters.

The proclamation is only good for joint waters, so coastal waters remain closed to recreational flounder fishing for 2024, even during the 4-day season set for inland and joint waters.

If you’re fishing for flounder during this 4-day season, which is split into two segments, click here for a map that shows what is considered coastal waters (off limits), joint, and inland waters.