Source: NCDEQ, 8/23/21
The Division of Marine Fisheries will accept flounder for the
Carcass Collection and Saltwater Fishing Tournament (Citation) programs during
the upcoming recreational fishing season.
The division has also set up a one-stop source for information about the
2021 recreational flounder season, which begins Sept. 1. Carcass Collection The division has set up five temporary locations, in addition to
the nine carcass collection locations available throughout the year, where
recreational fishermen can donate their flounder carcasses.
The temporary locations are: =
The Division of Marine Fisheries Elizabeth City Office =
The Department of Environmental Quality Washington Regional
Office =
Seagate Marina Cleaning Station, Newport =
Chasin’ Tail Guides Dock, Atlantic Beach =
Breakday Charters Cleaning Station, Atlantic Beach The year-round locations are (map available here): =
Cape Pointe Marina, Harkers Island =
East Side Bait and Tackle, Washington =
Frisco Rod & Gun, Frisco =
Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head =
Sea View Crab Company, Wilmington =
Tex’s Tackle, Wilmington =
Dudley’s Marina, Swansboro =
NC Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters, Morehead City =
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point- Environmental Affairs
Office (available only to those with military base access) When cleaning the fish, anglers should leave the head and tail
intact and, if possible, leave the guts in the fish. Anglers who fished on a
charter boat or head boat should let the fish cleaner know the carcass will be
donated. While the catch is still fresh, take it to the nearest donation
location. Instructions on how to deposit the carcasses are posted at each site.
Anglers will be asked to give information related to how and when the fish was
caught. Fishermen also will be asked for their names and addresses. Division biologists will measure the fish, determine the sex, if
possible, and remove the otoliths (ear bones) to determine the age of the fish.
The information collected will be available for use in future flounder stock
assessments. Saltwater Fishing Tournament
Additionally, the division will issue North Carolina Saltwater Fishing
Tournament citations for flounder catches that weigh 5 pounds or more during
the recreational flounder season.
A North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament citation is a certificate,
suitable for framing, that shows the name of the angler and the species,
weight, and date of the catch. The division does not issue citations for
flounder when the recreational season is closed.
Anglers who wish to apply for a flounder
citation must do two things:
1. Weigh the fish at one of the Official North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament
Weigh Stations to verify that it meets the weight requirement. 2. Submit an application through the online Flounder Citation Application Form. Citations will not be issued for released fish.
Recreational
Flounder Season
The 2021 recreational flounder
season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14 in
internal and ocean waters of North Carolina. The minimum size limit will remain
at 15 inches total length, and the creel limit will remain at four fish per
person per day during the open recreational season.
Since all species of flounder are managed under the same recreational
regulations, the recreational season applies to all recreational flounder.
Recreational
fishermen using gill nets with a Recreational Commercial Gear License may not
participate in flounder season this year.
For more
information about donating a flounder carcass, applying for a Saltwater Fishing
Tournament citation for flounder, or recreational flounder season go to the 2021 Recreational Flounder Season Information webpage.
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