Heads-up, anglers: the 2025 recreational southern flounder season in North Carolina will open on September 1 at 12:01 a.m. and close at 11:59 p.m. on September 14. You’re allowed one fish per person per day, and it must be at least 15 inches long (tip of snout to tail tip) in coastal and joint waters. NC DEQ confirms this year’s dates and limits.
What’s New This Year?
For 2025, the state’s recreational quota jumps to 212,941 pounds—an increase from previous years—following guidance from Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.
Additionally, a proposed pilot bill H442 aims to eventually shift to a 50/50 recreational-commercial quota split by 2026, but that won’t take effect until after this season.
Why the Short Season?
Southern flounder remain in troubled waters. A 2019 stock assessment found the population is overfished and that overfishing is occurring, especially for mature females. N.C. managers aim to reduce removals by about 72% to rebuild the stock by 2028. DEQ outlines the rebuilding strategy.
Recreational vs Commercial – And A Quote Worth Noting
Recreational anglers have faced tighter limits because catches often exceeded their quota. In 2024, the recreational sector went over, while the commercial side stayed within its limit – largely thanks to daily monitoring.
“We realize that a lot of recreational fishermen feel like ‘I only catch one fish a year, there’s no way that I can be impacting the resource,’ but there’s more than a million fishermen out there.”
— Tricia Smith, N.C. Marine Fisheries Public Information Officer, explaining quota issues on Coastal Review.
Quick Rules Cheat Sheet
- Season: Sept 1–14, 2025
- Limit: 1 fish per person per day
- Size: Minimum 15” total length
- Gear: Hook-and-line or gig only; no recreational commercial-gear license allowed
Flounder Health & Science
NoAA reports that Atlantic summer flounder stocks (including NC’s) are not overfished; but southern flounder across NC, SC, and GA remain below target levels. NOAA notes summer flounder populations have rebounded from the ’80s low point thanks to habitat protection – but southern flounder need stronger rebuilding. NOAA Fisheries offers species status details.
Research under Amendment 3 also includes tagging female fish to track migration and spawning – which should provide better data next year.
How This Affects Topsail Area Anglers
You’re now in the coastal flounder zone – perfect grounds around Topsail Island, Rich Inlet, and Surf City. Be sure to follow measuring rules closely, and check out local guides for gigging tips or charter options.
For weather updates and ideal conditions during the season, visit our Topsail Island Beach Weather page.
Want to Stay Informed?
Bookmark our flounder guide and subscribe to updates early summer. If H442 or other changes pass, we’ll report them – especially since a longer season could be on the horizon after 2025.
