NC Flounder Regulations 2024: Summer, Gulf & Southern Species Updates
- North Carolina anglers target three distinct flounder species – Southern, Summer, and Gulf – yet the state has historically managed them as a single population for recreational fishing...
- The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) defines “overfished” as a population size that is too small, while “overfishing” signifies a removal rate that is too high.
- While comprehensive regulations are being implemented to address the Southern Flounder decline, the NCDMF is also seeking to provide recreational opportunities for anglers to target Summer and Gulf...
North Carolina anglers target three distinct flounder species – Southern, Summer, and Gulf – yet the state has historically managed them as a single population for recreational fishing purposes. Recent assessments, however, reveal a concerning trend: the Southern Flounder population is overfished, and overfishing is currently occurring, prompting a re-evaluation of management strategies.
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) defines “overfished” as a population size that is too small, while “overfishing” signifies a removal rate that is too high. These findings have led to stricter regulations aimed at curbing the catch of Southern Flounder, the most commonly caught species in the state’s estuaries.
While comprehensive regulations are being implemented to address the Southern Flounder decline, the NCDMF is also seeking to provide recreational opportunities for anglers to target Summer and Gulf Flounder. Amendment 4 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan includes a provision for a spring recreational season specifically for hook-and-line fishing for Gulf and Summer Flounder in ocean waters. This seasonal opening is designed to allow anglers to catch these species when the likelihood of encountering Southern Flounder is lower.
However, the implementation of this spring season is not without its complexities. North Carolina’s ability to open a spring season for Summer Flounder is constrained by its joint management agreement with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. These entities have mandated that recreational Summer Flounder regulations remain consistent with the status quo for 2026 and 2027, based on harvest estimates and biomass assessments. North Carolina’s recreational Summer Flounder season will be limited to a period between and in both 2026 and 2027.
The differing distributions of these three flounder species have informed the NCDMF’s approach to managing the spring season. Summer Flounder are most prevalent from Massachusetts to Florida, with a concentration extending to Hatteras Island, North Carolina. Gulf Flounder, range from North Carolina through the Gulf of Mexico, becoming more abundant further south. The NCDMF has considered these distribution patterns in designating the area open for Gulf Flounder harvest, aiming to minimize the incidental catch of Summer Flounder.
Understanding the characteristics of each species is crucial for both anglers and conservation efforts. Southern Flounder, typically found in shallow estuaries and bays, lack the distinct eye-like spots found on other species, exhibiting instead faint, irregular blotches that aid in camouflage. Summer Flounder, often called fluke, are easily identified by the 5 to 14 eye-like black spots scattered across their bodies and are more common along North Carolina’s northern coast. Gulf Flounder are distinguished by three distinct ocellated spots arranged in a triangular pattern on their backs.
Adult male Southern Flounder average around 15 inches in length and 1.5 pounds in weight, while females can grow larger, exceeding 20 inches and reaching 3 to 5 pounds. Summer Flounder males typically reach 15 to 18 inches and weigh 1 to 2 pounds, with females growing up to 26 inches and over 6 pounds. Gulf Flounder size ranges are less frequently reported, but they are generally comparable to Summer Flounder in size.
The current status of the Southern Flounder stock is particularly concerning. According to the North Carolina Marine & Estuary Foundation’s FINDEX assessment, the stock is 7% depleted as of , the most recent data year available in the stock assessment model. This “depleted” status indicates a severely impaired stock, attributed to high removal rates, low numbers of spawning females, and poor recruitment over many years. The FINDEX metric measures the gap between the desired condition of the fish stock (the Target reference value) and the existing condition (the Terminal value) as determined in the stock assessment.
The ongoing management adjustments reflect a broader effort to balance recreational fishing opportunities with the long-term sustainability of North Carolina’s flounder populations. The NCDMF’s approach, informed by scientific assessments and collaborative agreements with regional fisheries management bodies, aims to ensure the continued health and viability of these valuable resources for future generations.