North Carolina recreational flounder window is Sept. 1–14 only

North Carolina’s 2026 recreational flounder season is a two-week window, not a fall-long bite. Division of Marine Fisheries proclamation FF-27-2026 opened harvest at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and closes it at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14 in internal coastal and joint waters and the Atlantic Ocean. From Sept. 15–30, possession is unlawful.

Rules match inland waters under the Wildlife Resources Commission: one fish per person per day, 15-inch minimum, hook-and-line or gig only. Recreational Commercial Gear License harvest is off. Every kept flounder must be reported to DMF (online form or iPhone app). The same reporting rule covers red drum, spotted seatrout, striped bass, and weakfish.

DMF said the dates match last year’s window after a review of 2025 recreational data and Amendment 4 to the Southern Flounder FMP. Confirm the live proclamation before you keep a fish — Sept. 14 is a hard stop.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: NC DEQ — 2026 recreational flounder season will open Sept. 1–14. Also: Proclamation FF-27-2026.