Southern Flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma
Also called Flounder.
How to tell it
Left-facing flatfish, no eyed ocelli — plain mottled brown. Gulf and summer flounder carry eye-like spots.
- Not a summer flounder? That one has 5+ eye-like spots toward the tail. (Summer Flounder)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14 in total length minimum | 5 per person | Open year-round except Nov 1-30 (take or possession prohibited in November)AL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 14 in TL min | 5 per person (all flounder species combined) | Closed Oct 15-Nov 30FWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 14 in TL min | 5 per person (all flounder species combined) | Closed Oct 15-Nov 30FWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Georgia | 12 in total length | 15 per person per day | Open year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | No size limit | 10 per person | Open except Oct. 15–Nov. 30 annual closureLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 12 in total length minimum | 10 per person per day | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 15 in TL min | 1/day | Sep 1 - Sep 14, 2026NC DMF 2026 · checked | Closed |
| South Carolina | 16 in total length | 5/day, max 10/boat | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Texas | 15 in total length | 5 | Open year-round except closed Nov 1 – Dec 14TPWD 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 13 lb 3 oz | 1975 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 20.56 lb | 1983 · Nassau County | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 13.06 lb | 1998 · W. of South Pass | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 10 lb 4.66 oz | 2007 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 20 lb 8 oz | 1980 · Carolina Beach | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 17 lb 9.6 oz | 2003 · Murrells Inlet | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 13 lb | 1976 · Sabine Lake | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Excellent — mild, white, hard to beat.
In the app
Point the camera at a southern flounder and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about southern flounder
What is the size limit for southern flounder?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 14 in total length minimum; Florida (Atlantic): 14 in TL min; Florida (Gulf): 14 in TL min; Georgia: 12 in total length; Mississippi: 12 in total length minimum; North Carolina: 15 in TL min; South Carolina: 16 in total length; Texas: 15 in total length.
How many southern flounder can you keep?
Alabama: 5 per person; Florida (Atlantic): 5 per person (all flounder species combined); Florida (Gulf): 5 per person (all flounder species combined); Georgia: 15 per person per day; Louisiana: 10 per person; Mississippi: 10 per person per day; North Carolina: 1/day; South Carolina: 5/day, max 10/boat; and more in the table above.
When is southern flounder season?
Alabama: Open year-round except Nov 1-30 (take or possession prohibited in November); Florida (Atlantic): Closed Oct 15-Nov 30; Florida (Gulf): Closed Oct 15-Nov 30; Louisiana: Open except Oct. 15–Nov. 30 annual closure; North Carolina: Sep 1 - Sep 14, 2026; Texas: Open year-round except closed Nov 1 – Dec 14.
How do you tell southern flounder from summer flounder?
Southern Flounder has this: Left-facing flatfish, no eyed ocelli — plain mottled brown. Gulf and summer flounder carry eye-like spots.. Summer Flounder has 5+ eye-like spots toward the tail.
What is the record southern flounder?
20.56 lb in Florida (1983), Nassau County. Other states’ records are in the table.