Winter Flounder
Pseudopleuronectes americanus
Also called Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones).
How to tell it
RIGHT-facing thick flatfish with a small mouth and straight lateral line; muddy black-brown.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called winter flounder, and what gives each one away.
- Summer flounder: Left-facing with a big toothy mouth. Tell them apart
- Windowpane flounder: Thin enough to see through. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 12" minimum | 2 per angler | Apr 1 - Dec 31CT DEEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | 12 in min | 2 per day | Feb 11 - Apr 10DE DNREC 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Maine | 12" min | 8 per day | Open year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | 12 in min | 8 · south of Cape Cod: 2 | All year · south of Cape Cod: Mar 1–Dec 31MA DMF 2026 · checked | Check |
| New Hampshire | 12 in TL min | 8 fish/day | Open year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 12 in min | 2 | Mar 1 - Dec 31NJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 12" | 2 | Apr 1 - May 30NY DEC 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Rhode Island | 12" min | 2 per person · Narragansett Bay: none | Mar 1–Dec 31 · Narragansett Bay: no harvestRI DEM 2026 · checked | Check |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, 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 | 6 lb 1 oz | 1999 · Millstone Pt., Waterford | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maine | 4 lb 3 oz | 1989 · Perkins Cove, Ogunquit | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 5.1 lb | 2015 · 26 miles east of Ocean City | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 8 lb 2 oz | 1996 · Georges Bank | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Hampshire | 3 lb 3.68 oz | 2014 · Hampton River, Hampton | NH Fish & Game Verified Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 5 lb 11 oz | 1993 · Off Barnegat Light | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 7 lb 4 oz | 1997 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| Rhode Island | 6 lb 7 oz | 1990 · Galilee | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
How anglers catch it
Tiny hooks with bits of clam or bloodworm on a chum-baited bottom rig in bays and harbors.
On the table
Excellent — the sweetest flounder.
In the app
Point the camera at a winter 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 winter flounder
What is the size limit for winter flounder?
It depends on the state. Connecticut: 12" minimum; Delaware: 12 in min; Maine: 12" min; Massachusetts: 12 in min; New Hampshire: 12 in TL min; New Jersey: 12 in min; New York: 12"; Rhode Island: 12" min.
How many winter flounder can you keep?
Connecticut: 2 per angler; Delaware: 2 per day; Maine: 8 per day; Massachusetts: 8 · south of Cape Cod: 2; New Hampshire: 8 fish/day; New Jersey: 2; New York: 2; Rhode Island: 2 per person · Narragansett Bay: none.
When is winter flounder season?
Connecticut: Apr 1 - Dec 31; Delaware: Feb 11 - Apr 10; New Jersey: Mar 1 - Dec 31; New York: Apr 1 - May 30; Rhode Island: Mar 1–Dec 31 · Narragansett Bay: no harvest.
How do you tell winter flounder from summer flounder?
Winter Flounder: RIGHT-facing thick flatfish with a small mouth and straight lateral line; muddy black-brown. Summer flounder: left-facing with a big toothy mouth.
How do you catch winter flounder?
Tiny hooks with bits of clam or bloodworm on a chum-baited bottom rig in bays and harbors. Methods: bottom. Baits: worm, clam, mussel.
What is the record winter flounder?
8 lb 2 oz in Massachusetts (1996), Georges Bank. Other states’ records are in the table.