Flounder limits by state
Check before you keep a fish. These are statewide rules. Lakes, rivers and coastal zones often have their own limits, and rules can change during the year. Each state below has a link to its official rules.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
| State | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Flounder |
Statewide | 14" total length | 5 | Closed November 1 to 30; open the rest of the year |
| Official source2 ADCNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Connecticut Summer flounder (fluke) |
Statewide | 19" (May 4 to Aug 1); 19.5" (Aug 2 to Oct 15) | 3 | May 4 to October 15 |
| Connecticut | Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites | 17" minimum | 3 | May 4 to October 15 |
| Seasons and sizes are set each year with neighboring states; check before fishing. Official source CT DEEP official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026 | ||||
| Connecticut Winter flounder |
Statewide | 12" minimum | 2 | April 1 to December 31 |
| Official source CT DEEP official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026 | ||||
| Delaware Summer flounder |
Set each year: check here. Set each year under the regional management plan. 2026: 16 in (1 Jan to 31 May), 17.5 in (1 Jun to 31 Dec), 4 a day. Check before you go. | |||
| Florida Flounder |
Statewide | 14" minimum | 5 | Closed Oct 15 to Nov 30 |
| Official source FWC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Georgia Flounder |
Statewide | 12" minimum | 15 | Open all year |
| Official source Georgia DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Louisiana Southern flounder |
State waters | No minimum | 10 | Closed October 15 to November 30 |
| Official source LDWF official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Maine Winter flounder |
Maine waters | 12" minimum | 8 | – |
| Official source MDIFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Maryland Summer flounder |
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries | 16" January 1 to May 31; 17.5" June 1 to December 31 | 4 | – |
| Set each year under the regional plan. Secondary source: Maryland fishing guide 2026 (eRegulations) Maryland DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Massachusetts Summer flounder (fluke) |
State waters | 17.5" from a boat; 16.5" from shore | 5 | May 24 to September 23 |
| Official source MassWildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Massachusetts Winter flounder |
Gulf of Maine | 12" minimum | 8 | Year-round |
| Massachusetts | Southern New England | 12" minimum | 2 | March 1 to December 31 |
| Official source MassWildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Mississippi Flounder |
Statewide | 12" total length | 10 | – |
| Official source MDWFP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| New Hampshire Winter flounder |
Statewide | 12" minimum | 8 | – |
| Secondary source: New Hampshire Fishing Digest 2026 (eRegulations) NH Fish and Game official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026 | ||||
| New Hampshire Summer flounder (fluke) |
Statewide | 15" minimum | No bag limit | – |
| Secondary source: New Hampshire Fishing Digest 2026 (eRegulations) NH Fish and Game official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026 | ||||
| New Jersey Summer flounder (fluke) |
Set each year: check here. Season, size and limit are set each year (2026: May 4 to September 25, 18" minimum, 3 fish, with exceptions for Delaware Bay and Island Beach State Park). Check NJ Fish & Wildlife before fishing. | |||
| New Jersey Winter flounder |
Marine waters | 12" minimum | 2 | March 1 to December 31 |
| Secondary source: NJ Fish & Wildlife saltwater regulations 2026 (eRegulations) NJ Fish & Wildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| New York Summer flounder (fluke) |
Set each year: check here. Set each year with neighboring states (2026: 3 fish, 19" to 19.5" minimum depending on the period, open May 4 to October 15). Check DEC before fishing. | |||
| New York Winter flounder |
Marine district | 12" minimum | 2 | April 1 to May 30 |
| Official source NYSDEC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| North Carolina Southern flounder |
Set each year: check here. Closed except during short seasons set each year by proclamation. Check NC Division of Marine Fisheries before fishing. | |||
| Oregon Flatfish |
Marine Zone | – | 25 in total | Open all depths year round |
| Not including Pacific halibut. Secondary source: Oregon sport fishing regulations (eRegulations) ODFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Rhode Island Summer flounder |
Set each year: check here. Limits set each year (as of Nov 2026: 19" minimum, 6 a day, April 1 to December 31; 2 fish of 17" or more at certain shore sites). Check DEM before fishing. | |||
| Rhode Island Winter flounder |
Statewide | 12" minimum | 2 | March 1 to December 31 |
| No harvest in Narragansett Bay north of the Colregs Line and in some named ponds and harbors. Official source RIDEM official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| South Carolina Southern flounder |
Statewide | 16" minimum | 5 | – |
| Secondary source: South Carolina hunting and fishing regulations 2026-27 (eRegulations) SCDNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Texas Flounder |
Statewide | 15" minimum | 5 | Closed Nov 1 to Dec 14 |
| Possession limit equals the daily bag. Official source TPWD official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Virginia Summer flounder |
Set each year: check here. Size, bag and season are set each year under coastwide (ASMFC) management. Check VMRC before fishing. | |||