Tagging Program rewards participants in annual $100 drawing - NC Marine Fisheries

June 18, 2026

Tagging Program rewards participants in annual $100 drawing MOREHEAD CITY – Fifteen lucky anglers won $100 each in a yearly drawing held by the NC Division of Marine Fisheries’ Multi-Species Tagging Program. The tagging program randomly selected tag numbers from 496 fish tags that were turned in by participants in 2025. Three tag numbers were selected from each of the five species that are tagged by the program. The $100 winners who turned in tags found on Cobia were: Joshua Bourne of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Mike Lintzenich of Williamsburg, Virginia; and Katie Daniel of Toano, Virginia. The $100 winners who turned in tags found on Red Drum were: Brad Smith of Maysville, Nicholas Stanley of Four Oaks, and Josh Whibley of Charleston, South Carolina. The $100 winners who turned in tags on Striped Bass were: Robert Tipton of New Bern, Scott Pope of New Bern and Anthony Richards of Wilmington. The $100 winners who turned in tags on Southern Flounder were: Jaxon Row of Wilmington, James Cone of Wilmington and Tyler Barnes of Hubert. The $100 winners who turned in tags on Spotted Seatrout were: Jamie Bright of Jacksonville, Chris Cobb of Hampstead and David Bishop of Belhaven. The Multi-Species Tagging Program began in October 2014 and is funded by a Coastal Recreational Fishing License grant. Each year, staff and volunteers attach a yellow or red tag marked with “NCDMF” on thousands of fish in North Carolina’s coastal waters. When a tagged fish is reported, along with the required information, participants receive a letter and personalized certificate with information about their fish, including days at large and distance traveled, as well as a reward. Those who return a yellow tag receive either a tagging program hat, fish towel or fish pin. Those who return a red tag marked “$100 REWARD” receive a $100. Those who return a tag are automatically entered into an annual drawing for $100. Bourne, Lintzenich, Daniel, Pope, Richards, Rowe, Barnes and Cobb all received $100 when they turned in red tags for their respective fish and another $100 from the drawing, making their total rewards $200 each. Information required when reporting a tagged fish includes the species, tag number, date, location captured, total length of the fish, fate of the fish (released or harvested) and the type of gear used to capture the fish. Tags may be reported by phone at 1-800-682-2632 or through an online form. Red tags must be cut off the fish and returned to the division for the participant to receive the $100 reward. Information gathered from tag returns helps researchers determine species migration patterns, mortality, population structure and habitat use, which can be used to better manage the fisheries. Click for more information about the Multi-Species Tagging Program. or contact John Mohan at 252-948-3913 or john.mohan@deq.nc.gov.

Carolina Fishing Report: NC Flounder Season Set & Hot Inshore Bites

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This week's top Carolina fishing report highlights strong inshore action for red drum, speckled trout, and flounder across NC and SC waters as summer patterns emerge. North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission announced the 2026 recreational flounder season for Sept. 1-14 in inland and joint waters (hook-and-line only, 1 fish at 15 inches minimum), providing clear guidance for anglers planning ahead. South Carolina trends show excellent June inshore opportunities with redfish, trout, and more biting well on shrimp and minnows in creeks and marshes.

Recent announcements from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission include the 2026 flounder season details and a proposal for a new archery zone on a Piedmont game land, alongside increased alligator awareness through early summer. Carolina Sportsman reported North Carolina’s Delayed Harvest trout season opening June 6 on select streams and lakes. In South Carolina, DNR updates emphasize license availability via Go Outdoors SC and ongoing saltwater trends showing robust inshore bites north of Myrtle Beach and around Charleston.

State agencies like NC DEQ Marine Fisheries and SCDNR continue to provide E-E-A-T backed data on regulations and trends. Hunters and anglers should check ncwildlife.org and dnr.sc.gov for the latest proclamations, including mandatory reporting for certain species in NC. Sources such as gameandfishmag.com and deerassociation.com reinforce best practices for sustainable outdoor recreation in the Carolinas.

For the upcoming week, expect prime inshore fishing for flounder, red drum, and speckled trout in NC and SC. Flounder should hold strong on mud flats, current seams, and near docks—target with mud minnows or shrimp. Red drum remain active in marsh creeks and oyster points, with topwater action improving in early mornings and evenings. Speckled trout will push onto grass flats; focus on slow presentations with soft plastics or popping corks as water warms. Monitor tides and water temps around 70-80°F for best results in Carolina estuaries. Always verify current limits on official sites.

Whitetail deer and turkey populations in NC/SC benefit from proactive habitat management this time of year. Experts from the National Deer Association and state wildlife agencies recommend prescribed burns, timber stand improvement for open understories, and food plots with clover, chufa, or winter wheat to support both species. Maintain connected cover for turkey poults while providing mast-producing trees and water sources. For whitetails, focus on edge habitat and thermal cover. These practices boost overall wildlife health heading into fall seasons.

Recipe Link: Try this delicious Corned Venison recipe for your next harvest: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/151224/corned-venison/ (perfect for deer shoulders).

Subscribe to Friends Outdoor Journal for weekly NC/SC updates, share your catches in the comments, and visit https://friendsoutdoorjournal.blogspot.com/ for more reports, braggin' board photos, and gear tips. Get outdoors responsibly—buy your licenses today!