Windowpane 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
Windowpane Flounder
So thin it's translucent held to the sun; nearly round, left-facing, finely freckled.
Summer Flounder
Left-facing flatfish with 5 or more dark eye-like spots, several near the tail.
Summer flounder, next to windowpane flounder: big mouth, eye-spots.
Side by side
| Windowpane Flounder | Summer Flounder | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Scophthalmus aquosus | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Also called | Sand dab | Fluke |
| Waters | Inshore | Inshore |
| Heaviest state record | 0 lb 11.2 oz · Connecticut (2020) | 22 lb 7 oz · New York (1975) |
| On the table | Too thin to fillet — release. | Excellent — mild, white, hard to beat. |
| Rules of its own in | 5 states | 16 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 16 of 16 states with a rule for either. In Connecticut, windowpane flounder is —, No retention and summer flounder is 19" (May 4-Aug 1), 19.5" (Aug 2-Oct 15); 17" at Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites, 3 per angler. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Windowpane Flounder: size · bag · season | Summer Flounder: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 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 | —No retentionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | 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) | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in TL min5 per person (all flounder species combined)Closed Oct 15-Nov 30OpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in TL min5 per person (all flounder species combined)Closed Oct 15-Nov 30OpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Georgia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in total length15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked |
| Maine | —No retentionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | 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 | —No retentionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | 17.5" vessel / 16.5" shore5 fishMay 24 - Sep 23OpenMA DMF 2026 · checked |
| New Hampshire | Possession prohibitedPossession prohibitedClosed year-roundPut it backNH F&G 2026 · checked | 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 | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 15 in TL min1/daySep 1 - Sep 14, 2026ClosedNC DMF 2026 · checked |
| Rhode Island | —No retentionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | 19" min6/person/dayApr 1 - Dec 31OpenRI DEM 2026 · checked |
| South Carolina | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 16 in total length5/day, max 10/boatOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked |
| 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, windowpane 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 windowpane flounder from summer flounder?
Windowpane Flounder: So thin it's translucent held to the sun; nearly round, left-facing, finely freckled. Summer Flounder: Left-facing flatfish with 5 or more dark eye-like spots, several near the tail. Summer flounder, next to windowpane flounder: big mouth, eye-spots.
Which gets bigger, windowpane flounder or summer flounder?
Summer Flounder. The heaviest state record we hold is 22 lb 7 oz in New York; the heaviest windowpane flounder record is 0 lb 11.2 oz in Connecticut.
Which is better to eat, windowpane flounder or summer flounder?
Windowpane Flounder: Too thin to fillet — release. Summer Flounder: Excellent — mild, white, hard to beat.
Do windowpane flounder and summer flounder have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 16 state rulebooks. Connecticut: windowpane flounder —, No retention, summer flounder 19" (May 4-Aug 1), 19.5" (Aug 2-Oct 15); 17" at Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Sites, 3 per angler; Maine: windowpane flounder —, No retention, summer flounder 20" min, 2 per day; Massachusetts: windowpane flounder —, No retention, summer flounder 17.5" vessel / 16.5" shore, 5 fish; New Hampshire: windowpane flounder Possession prohibited, Possession prohibited, summer flounder 15 in TL min, No bag limit; Rhode Island: windowpane flounder —, No retention, summer flounder 19" min, 6/person/day; and more in the table on this page.