Can I Keep? Open the app

Flounder Regulations in North Carolina (2026)

Recreational flounder rules in North Carolina saltwater, as published by the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.

Size limit
15 in minimum
Bag limit
1 per person
Season
It shall be unlawful to possess flounder for recreational purposes…

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Flounder rules in North Carolina

Where
Internal Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters and Atlantic Ocean Waters (all waters)
Size limit
It shall be unlawful to possess flounder less than 15 inches total length.
Bag limit
It shall be unlawful to possess more than one (1) flounder per person per day.
Possession
It shall be unlawful to possess more than one daily creel limit per person while engaged in fishing or aboard a vessel.
Season
It shall be unlawful to possess flounder for recreational purposes except from 12:01 A.M. on September 1, 2026, until 11:59 P.M. on September 14, 2026.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule
Where
Atlantic Ocean (ocean)
Size limit
In accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503 (a), it shall be unlawful to possess flounder less than 14 inches total length taken from the Atlantic Ocean in a commercial fishing operation.
Bag limit
It shall be unlawful for persons participating in a commercial fishing operation employing trawls, regardless of the number of people involved, to possess or land more than 30,000 pounds of flounder per trip taken from the Atlantic Ocean.; It shall be unlawful to land from a vessel more than 100 pounds of flounder taken from the Atlantic Ocean more than once in any consecutive 5-day period.
Season
This proclamation opens the Atlantic Ocean commercial flounder season at 12:01 A.M., October 27, 2026, and establishes a 30,000-pound trip limit for vessels employing trawls. The fishery will close by proclamation once the annual North Carolina quota is reached or at 6:00 P.M., December 31, 2026, whichever occurs first.
  • It shall be unlawful for persons participating in a commercial fishing operation to possess flounder from the Atlantic Ocean Waters if taken by any method other than trawl and in accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03M .0503.
  • Properly licensed vessel captains can possess landing limits for other states, but it shall be unlawful to offload those fish in North Carolina.
  • Properly licensed vessel captains employing trawls can possess landing limits for other states, but it shall be unlawful to offload those fish in North Carolina.
  • In accordance with N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03O .0503 (e)(2), it shall be unlawful for fish dealers to allow vessels holding a valid License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean to land more than 100 pounds of flounder without fir st obtaining an Atlantic Ocean Flounder Dealer Permit.
  • Proclamation FF-47-2026: FLOUNDER – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS - ATLANTIC OCEAN (effective 12:01 A.M., October 27, 2026).

Official source

Quick answers

What is the flounder size limit in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess flounder less than 15 inches total length..

How many flounder can I keep in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess more than one (1) flounder per person per day..

When is flounder season in North Carolina?

It shall be unlawful to possess flounder for recreational purposes except from 12:01 A.M. on September 1, 2026, until 11:59 P.M. on September 14, 2026.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Flounder limits in other states →

More inshore in North Carolina

All North Carolina saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. Most anglers need a North Carolina saltwater license or registry: get one here.