Southern flounder across North Carolina
Where southern flounder live in North Carolina, with limits.
- 1 a daydaily creel
- 20 lb. 8 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Mick Johnson, CC BY 3.0
southern flounder across the state
North Carolina anglers find Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) in saltwater habitat. Creel and size (NCWRC, inland and joint fishing waters (ncwrc, hook and line)): 1 a day, 15 in minimum.
The record book shows 20 lb. 8 oz. from Carolina Beach, 1980. NCDMF citation: No award given for these species.
What NCDMF writes about southern flounder
“A flat, oval-shaped fish found throughout North Carolina’s estuaries. Southern flounder are brown on their left side with numerous dark and light spots and blotches, but they are not ringed or ocellated as are other flounder species. The right side of a southern flounder is white.”
- SizeTypical Southern flounder catches range from 15 to 18 inches, but the fish can grow to as large as 33 inches.
- HabitatSouthern flounder are found in the oceans and estuarine waters along the Atlantic seaboard from Virginia to southeast Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico.
- DietSouthern flounder are predators that ambush prey from the bottom where they lie camouflaged under a thin layer of mud or sand. Large flounder feed on blue crab, shrimp and other fish.
- Fishing tipsAnglers catch Southern flounder using live fish, such as finger mullet, on a single-hooked rig and artificial lures. Southern flounder are caught under bridges and docks and in the nearshore ocean. Fishermen plug for flounder with jigs along soundside marshes. They also catch flounder at night with
- Also calledflounder
- Confused withsummer flounder, gulf flounder
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
North Carolina limits on southern flounder
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line) | 1 a day | 15 in minimum | Sept. 1-14 (2026) |
| NCDMF | Internal coastal and joint fishing waters and Atlantic Ocean | 1 a day | 15 in minimum | Sept. 1-14, 2026 |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Record southern flounder from North Carolina
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 20 lb. 8 oz. | Carolina Beach | 1980 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species beside southern flounder on the list
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
- Spanish mackerelsalt
What is near Southern flounder, in pictures
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Camb.g2g, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Questions people send about southern flounder
How many southern flounder can I keep in North Carolina?
1 a day (Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line)), size 15 in minimum.
How heavy is the North Carolina record southern flounder?
20 lb. 8 oz. from Carolina Beach (1980).
Which waters are best for southern flounder?
Southern flounder are found in the oceans and estuarine waters along the Atlantic seaboard from Virginia to southeast Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico.
Do NCWRC hatcheries raise southern flounder?
No.
What other names does southern flounder go by?
Typical Southern flounder catches range from 15 to 18 inches, but the fish can grow to as large as 33 inches.
When are southern flounder in season?
Sept. 1-14 (2026)
Which license works on southern flounder?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which guides target southern flounder?
No guide lists it.
Find southern flounder close to home
Pick any lake or stream listed above.