Southern Flounder (also known as Flounder, Doormat, Mud Flounder) in North Carolina. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the NCDMF guide, 2026.
In North Carolina, the minimum legal size for Southern Flounder is 15 in and the daily bag limit is 1 per person during the short open window (otherwise closed). Season note: Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current North Carolina rules before keeping fish.
Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current North Carolina rules before keeping fish.
Atlantic / coastal, joint & ocean waters statewide. southern flounder is the dominant inshore NC flounder; managed as an all-species flounder group. State coastal & joint (and adjacent inland) waters. The printed 2026 guide lists 'Flounder (All Species) — CLOSED, UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS' because the annual window had not yet been set when printed; NCDMF then announced the 2026 window by proclamation. NC manages flounder as an all-species group; the short ocean-only spring Gulf-flounder window (e.g. Mar 9–22, 2026, Portsmouth Island south to SC line) is separate and also annually set.
These limits are pulled from the NCDMF recreational size and bag limits. Last verified June 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
North Carolina requires a Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) for anyone aged 16 or older fishing coastal or joint waters — there is no general shoreline exemption. NC fishing licences.
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