Texas Parks and Wildlife closes southern flounder fishing for six weeks

Texas Parks and Wildlife closed the state's fisheries for southern flounder on Sunday, halting recreational access to the species for six weeks. The agency implemented the temporary ban to provide the population with a period of rest during its primary reproductive window. Kelley Kowal, the regional director of the department's coastal fisheries division, stated that this action is standard procedure and not a new development.

Kowal explained that the closure targets mature females, who are typically larger and therefore more attractive to anglers. By suspending fishing during peak spawning, the agency aims to ensure these fish have the opportunity to reproduce successfully. She noted that the department has utilized this specific management strategy for roughly the last six years to help stabilize the population.

Southern flounder rank as the third most popular recreational species in Texas bays and estuaries. According to Texas Saltwater Fishing, the fish spend the majority of their year in these inland waters before migrating to the open Gulf of Mexico to spawn in the fall. The species is the largest of more than 50 bottom-dwelling flatfish in the Gulf, with mature females capable of reaching 25 inches in length. This size is nearly double that of an average male.

In the days leading up to the ban, social media posts from fishing guides and charter boats urged customers to book final trips before the deadline. Galveston Saltwater Charters reported heavy activity at the Texas City Dike on Friday morning, following a successful outing on Thursday evening. The Galveston Flounder Company, a charter specializing in the species, shared images of six fish caught the night before the closure took effect.

The ban lifts on December 15. When the season resumes, anglers will be subject to a daily bag limit of five fish and a minimum size requirement of 15 inches, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.