Atlantic HalibutorWinter Flounder
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Atlantic Halibut
Giant right-facing flatfish with a concave, crescent tail and a big toothy mouth.
Winter Flounder
RIGHT-facing thick flatfish with a small mouth and straight lateral line; muddy black-brown.
Winter flounder, next to Atlantic halibut: small mouth, small fish.
Side by side
| Atlantic Halibut | Winter Flounder | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hippoglossus hippoglossus | Pseudopleuronectes americanus |
| Also called | — | Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones) |
| Waters | Offshore | Inshore |
| Heaviest state record | 321 lb · Massachusetts (1965) | 8 lb 2 oz · Massachusetts (1996) |
| On the table | Superb. | Excellent — the sweetest flounder. |
| Rules of its own in | 5 states | 8 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 8 of 8 states with a rule for either. In Connecticut, Atlantic halibut is 41 in total length, 1 per vessel per trip and winter flounder is 12" minimum, 2 per angler. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Atlantic Halibut: size · bag · season | Winter Flounder: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 41 in total length1 per vessel per tripOpen year-roundOpenFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | 12" minimum2 per anglerApr 1 - Dec 31OpenCT DEEP 2026 · checked |
| Delaware | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in min2 per dayFeb 11 - Apr 10ClosedDE DNREC 2026 · checked |
| Maine | 41" min5 per vessel per year (25 charter)May 18 - Jun 13, no fishing Wednesdays or ThursdaysClosedME DMR 2026 · checked | 12" min8 per dayOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked |
| Massachusetts | 41 in total length1 per vessel per tripOpen year-roundOpenFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | 12 in total length8 per dayOpen year-roundOpenMA DMF 2026 · checked |
| New Hampshire | 41 in TL min1 fish per trip/vesselOpen year-roundOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked | 12 in TL min8 fish/dayOpen year-roundOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in min2Mar 1 - Dec 31OpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12"2Apr 1 - May 30ClosedNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| Rhode Island | 41 in total length1 per vessel per tripOpen year-roundOpenFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | 12" min2/person/dayMar 1 - Dec 31OpenRI DEM 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Atlantic halibut or winter flounder, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell Atlantic halibut from winter flounder?
Atlantic Halibut: Giant right-facing flatfish with a concave, crescent tail and a big toothy mouth. Winter Flounder: RIGHT-facing thick flatfish with a small mouth and straight lateral line; muddy black-brown. Winter flounder, next to Atlantic halibut: small mouth, small fish.
Which gets bigger, Atlantic halibut or winter flounder?
Atlantic Halibut. The heaviest state record we hold is 321 lb in Massachusetts; the heaviest winter flounder record is 8 lb 2 oz in Massachusetts.
Which is better to eat, Atlantic halibut or winter flounder?
Atlantic Halibut: Superb. Winter Flounder: Excellent — the sweetest flounder.
Do Atlantic halibut and winter flounder have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 8 state rulebooks. Connecticut: Atlantic halibut 41 in total length, 1 per vessel per trip, winter flounder 12" minimum, 2 per angler; Maine: Atlantic halibut 41" min, 5 per vessel per year (25 charter), winter flounder 12" min, 8 per day; Massachusetts: Atlantic halibut 41 in total length, 1 per vessel per trip, winter flounder 12 in total length, 8 per day; New Hampshire: Atlantic halibut 41 in TL min, 1 fish per trip/vessel, winter flounder 12 in TL min, 8 fish/day; Rhode Island: Atlantic halibut 41 in total length, 1 per vessel per trip, winter flounder 12" min, 2/person/day; and more in the table on this page.