Gulf FlounderorSummer 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
Gulf Flounder
Three ocellated (eye-ringed) spots in a triangle — two above, one below the lateral line — on a sandy left-facing flatfish.
Summer Flounder
Left-facing flatfish with 5 or more dark eye-like spots, several near the tail.
Summer flounder, next to Gulf flounder: five eye-ringed spots in an X.
Side by side
| Gulf Flounder | Summer Flounder | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Paralichthys albigutta | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Also called | — | Fluke |
| Waters | Inshore | Inshore |
| Heaviest state record | 7 lb 2 oz · North Carolina (2011) | 22 lb 7 oz · New York (1975) |
| On the table | Excellent — same table as any flounder. | Excellent — mild, white, hard to beat. |
| Rules of its own in | 9 states | 16 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 13 of 19 states with a rule for either. In Connecticut, summer flounder is 19" (May 4-Aug 1), 19.5" (Aug 2-Oct 15); 17" at Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites, 3 per angler while Gulf flounder has no rule of its own there. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Gulf Flounder: size · bag · season | Summer Flounder: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14 in total length minimum5 per personOpen year-round except Nov 1-30 (take or possession prohibited in November)OpenAL MRD 2026 · checked | 14 in total length minimum5 per personOpen year-round except Nov 1-30 (take or possession prohibited in November)OpenAL MRD 2026 · likely · checked |
| Connecticut | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 19" (May 4-Aug 1), 19.5" (Aug 2-Oct 15); 17" at Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites3 per anglerMay 4 - Oct 15OpenCT DEEP 2026 · checked |
| Delaware | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 17.5 in min (16 in Jan 1-May 31)4 per dayOpen year-roundOpenDE DNREC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 14 in TL min5 per person (all flounder species combined)Closed Oct 15-Nov 30OpenFWC 2026 · checked | 14 in TL min5 per person (all flounder species combined)Closed Oct 15-Nov 30OpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | 14 in TL min5 per person (all flounder species combined)Closed Oct 15-Nov 30OpenFWC 2026 · checked | 14 in TL min5 per person (all flounder species combined)Closed Oct 15-Nov 30OpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Georgia | 12 in total length15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | 12 in total length15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked |
| Louisiana | No size limit10 per personOpen except Oct. 15–Nov. 30 annual closureOpenLDWF 2026 · likely · checked | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. |
| Maine | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 20" min2 per dayOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked |
| Maryland | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 16 in TL Jan 1-May 31; 17.5 in TL Jun 1-Dec 314Open year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · checked |
| Massachusetts | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 17.5" vessel / 16.5" shore5 fishMay 24 - Sep 23OpenMA DMF 2026 · checked |
| Mississippi | 12 in total length minimum10 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. |
| New Hampshire | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 15 in TL minNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 18 in min3May 4 - Sep 25OpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 19" (May 4-Aug 1), 19.5" (Aug 2-Oct 15)3May 4 - Oct 15OpenNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | 15 in TL min1/daySep 1 - Sep 14, 2026 (plus Gulf-flounder-only ocean window Mar 9 - 22, 2026, now past)ClosedNC DMF 2026 · checked | 15 in TL min1/daySep 1 - Sep 14, 2026ClosedNC DMF 2026 · checked |
| Rhode Island | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 19" min6/person/dayApr 1 - Dec 31OpenRI DEM 2026 · checked |
| South Carolina | 16 in total length5/day, max 10/boatOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked | 16 in total length5/day, max 10/boatOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked |
| Texas | 15 in total length5Open year-round except closed Nov 1 – Dec 14OpenTPWD 2026 · checked | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. |
| Virginia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 17.5 in min (16 in Jan 1 - May 31)4 per personOpen year-roundOpenVMRC 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Gulf flounder or summer flounder, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell Gulf flounder from summer flounder?
Gulf Flounder: Three ocellated (eye-ringed) spots in a triangle — two above, one below the lateral line — on a sandy left-facing flatfish. Summer Flounder: Left-facing flatfish with 5 or more dark eye-like spots, several near the tail. Summer flounder, next to Gulf flounder: five eye-ringed spots in an X.
Which gets bigger, Gulf flounder or summer flounder?
Summer Flounder. The heaviest state record we hold is 22 lb 7 oz in New York; the heaviest Gulf flounder record is 7 lb 2 oz in North Carolina.
Which is better to eat, Gulf flounder or summer flounder?
Gulf Flounder: Excellent — same table as any flounder. Summer Flounder: Excellent — mild, white, hard to beat.
Do Gulf flounder and summer flounder have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 13 state rulebooks. Connecticut: Gulf flounder no rule of its own, summer flounder 19" (May 4-Aug 1), 19.5" (Aug 2-Oct 15); 17" at Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites, 3 per angler; Delaware: Gulf flounder no rule of its own, summer flounder 17.5 in min (16 in Jan 1-May 31), 4 per day; Louisiana: Gulf flounder No size limit, 10 per person, summer flounder no rule of its own; Maine: Gulf flounder no rule of its own, summer flounder 20" min, 2 per day; Maryland: Gulf flounder no rule of its own, summer flounder 16 in TL Jan 1-May 31; 17.5 in TL Jun 1-Dec 31, 4; and more in the table on this page.