Southern flounderin Florida (Gulf)
Paralichthys lethostigma
Also called Flounder.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for southern flounder in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Applies to Gulf, southern, summer and fringed flounder statewide.
Counts toward an aggregate limit: Flounder aggregate.
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
FWC 2026· checked Open
Often mistaken for, and their Florida (Gulf) rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern flounderThis page. | 14 in TL min | 5 per person (all flounder species combined) | Closed Oct 15-Nov 30 |
| Summer flounderHas 5+ eye-like spots toward the tail.Tell them apart | 14 in TL min | 5 per person (all flounder species combined) | Closed Oct 15-Nov 30 |
Florida (Gulf) state record
20.56 lb, Nassau County, 1983. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Left-facing flatfish, no eyed ocelli — plain mottled brown. More on the southern flounder page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Southern flounder in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a southern flounder in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSouthern flounder in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for southern flounder in Florida (Gulf)?
14 in TL min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many southern flounder can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
5 per person (all flounder species combined). It counts toward an aggregate: Flounder aggregate.
When is southern flounder season in Florida (Gulf)?
Closed Oct 15-Nov 30. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Florida (Gulf) record southern flounder?
20.56 lb, Nassau County (1983).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) southern flounder rule?
Source: FWC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.