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Species · Inshore

Windowpane Flounder

Scophthalmus aquosus

Also called Sand dab.

Rules in 5 state rulebooks, checked Sep 16, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Windowpane Flounder
Drawing: NOAA Fisheries

How to tell it

So thin it's translucent held to the sun; nearly round, left-facing, finely freckled.

Rules for

Every state

StateSizeBagSeasonToday
ConnecticutFederal rule (New England federal waters)No retentionProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked Put it back
MaineFederal rule (New England federal waters)No retentionProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked Put it back
MassachusettsFederal rule (New England federal waters)No retentionProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked Put it back
New HampshirePossession prohibitedPossession prohibitedClosed year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked Put it back
Rhode IslandFederal rule (New England federal waters)No retentionProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked Put it back

Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).

State records

StateWeightWhen, whereSource
Connecticut0 lb 11.2 oz2020 · Long Sand ShoalCT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23

On the table

Too thin to fillet — release.

In the app

Point the camera at a windowpane 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.

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Questions anglers ask about windowpane flounder

Where is windowpane flounder harvest prohibited?

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island. Release it there.

How do you tell windowpane flounder from winter flounder?

Windowpane Flounder has this: So thin it's translucent held to the sun; nearly round, left-facing, finely freckled.. Winter Flounder thick, right-facing.

What is the record windowpane flounder?

0 lb 11.2 oz in Connecticut (2020), Long Sand Shoal. Other states’ records are in the table.