Federal Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Flounder Recreational Harvest to Close Oct. 15

will remain closed through November 30, reopening Dec. 1.

The recreational harvest of flounder in all Florida state and federal waters will close on October 15 and remain closed through November 30, reopening on Dec. 1. This closed season will provide additional protection to vulnerable flounder during pre-spawning aggregations. (FWC image)

(FWC) – The recreational harvest of flounder in all Florida state and federal waters will close on October 15 and remain closed through November 30, reopening Dec. 1.

The Commission approved this annual season closure and other management measures in December 2020 because a stock status update suggested that the flounder fishery statewide has been in a declining trend and is likely overfished and undergoing overfishing on the Atlantic coast of Florida.

This closed season will provide additional protection to vulnerable flounder during pre-spawning aggregations.

Other south Atlantic and Gulf states have also reported declines in flounder populations and have been making their own regulation changes in response.

To learn more about flounder regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine, click “Recreational Regulations,” and select “Flounder.”