SlotGaugeCheck a catchFlounder regulations in North Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Flounder size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) | September 1 – September 14 | 15 inch minimum | 1 per person per day |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' season. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/rules-proclamations-and-size-and-bag-limits/recreational-size-and-bag-limits
- 2026 recreational flounder season: September 1–14 only (proclamation FF-27-2026). All flounder species.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- September 1, 2026 until 11:59 P.M. on September 14, 2026
- Size
- unlawful to possess flounder less than 15 inches total length
- Limit
- one (1) flounder per person per day
- statewide — as printed
- “FF-27-2026: open season September 1, 2026 until 11:59 P.M. on September 14, 2026; unlawful to possess flounder less than 15 inches total length; unlawful to possess more than one (1) flounder per person per day”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
Check your flounder in seconds
Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's North Carolina rules.
Open SlotGauge for FlounderMore
About the flounder
Family of fishes
The southern flounders or armless flounders are a small family, Achiropsettidae, of flounders found in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters. There are four genera, each with one species.
Read more about Southern flounder on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.
All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Flounder in North Carolina?
15 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Flounder can you keep per day in North Carolina?
1 per person per day.
When is Flounder season in North Carolina?
September 1 – September 14.
Is my Flounder a keeper today?
The flounder season is closed today. It is open September 1 – September 14.