Windowpane Flounder
Scophthalmus aquosus
Also called Sand dab.
How to tell it
So thin it's translucent held to the sun; nearly round, left-facing, finely freckled.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called windowpane flounder, and what gives each one away.
- Winter flounder: Thick, right-facing. Tell them apart
- Summer flounder: Big mouth, eye-spots. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConnecticutFederal rule (New England federal waters) | — | No retention | ProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| MaineFederal rule (New England federal waters) | — | No retention | ProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| MassachusettsFederal rule (New England federal waters) | — | No retention | ProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| New Hampshire | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | Closed year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Rhode IslandFederal rule (New England federal waters) | — | No retention | ProhibitedNOAA 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
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 0 lb 11.2 oz | 2020 · Long Sand Shoal | CT 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.
Get the appQuestions 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: 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.