Flounder Closures Coming

Anglers are reminded that closures to the flounder fishery in multiple fisheries are coming soon.

First up is Louisiana.

An annual closed season for the recreational and commercial harvest of Southern Flounder from October 15 through November 30 of each year was finalized in 2022.

This statewide closure for Southern Flounder is for all sectors and all gear types, including any flounder caught as bycatch in any other fishery.  Exemptions that previously existed for southern flounder caught as bycatch on a shrimping trip are no longer applicable.  The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) was granted the authority by the Legislature to modify the shrimping bycatch exemption if the flounder stock is overfished and/or undergoing overfishing.

This closed season is necessary to attempt to recover the stock of Southern Flounder, which is overfished based on results from the most recent flounder stock assessment.

Texas

Texas flounder season is closed Nov 1 – Dec 14, also for reasons of stock decline.

We didn’t want these dates to slip up on your as fisheries closures are unusual for both Texas and Louisiana. It can be easy to forget if you’re not paying attention to the calendar.

Flounder also closes its fishery. Closed dates are Oct. 15-Nov. 30.

South Carolina had closed the fishery entirely but now has a very short season and North Carolina runs a super short season as well.