Aiken area anglers interested in flounder fishing should note that the 2026 recreational flounder season is scheduled to open on Tuesday, September 1, and will run through September 14. This two-week season applies to Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters across the state, including those accessible to Aiken residents.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries announced that the 2026 season dates mirror those of 2025. This decision followed a review of recreational data from the previous year and reflects management actions aimed at balancing fish sustainability with angler access. The director of the Division of Marine Fisheries, Kathy Rawls, stated that the goal is to provide consistency in recreational flounder seasons when possible.
The season, size, and bag limits are in compliance with the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s flounder season will also open during the same period, ensuring consistent regulations across jurisdictions.
Key provisions for the season include a bag limit of one flounder per person per day and a minimum size limit of 15 inches total length, measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. Fishing is permitted using hook and line and gig gears only; the harvest of flounder with a Recreational Commercial Gear License is prohibited.
A new mandatory harvest reporting requirement is also in effect. All kept flounder must be reported to the Division of Marine Fisheries. This reporting can be done through an online form or an iPhone application. Recreational fishermen are not required to report fish they do not keep. This reporting requirement, established by the North Carolina General Assembly through Session Law 2023-137, went into effect on December 1, 2025. It applies to coastal and joint fishing waters, as well as inland fishing waters adjacent to these areas. The program also requires reporting for Striped Bass, Spotted Seatrout, Weakfish, and Red Drum. Reporting must occur once a fishing trip is complete, whether from a vessel or from the shore.
