The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Winter Flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus
Winter Flounder Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 12–16 in, 1–2 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to 25 in and about 8 lb |
| Lifespan | 15–18 years |
| Range | Northwest Atlantic from Labrador south to Georgia, with the fishery concentrated from Delaware Bay north through New England. |
| Habitat | Soft mud, sand and gravel bottom in bays, harbors and estuaries in spring, dropping to cooler deeper water offshore in summer. |
| Diet | Small worms, clams, shrimp, amphipods and crabs picked off the bottom with a tiny mouth — bloodworms and clam are the standard baits. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Winter Flounder
- eyes on the RIGHT side when the dark side is up
- small mouth, lips barely reaching the front of the eye
- smooth reddish-to-dark brown upper side with no ocellated spots
- white blind side, often with a rosy tinge
- rounded, almost diamond body outline
Tell it apart: Right-eyed with a tiny puckered mouth and no eye-spots separates winter flounder ('blackback') from the left-eyed, big-mouthed, spotted fluke.
Easily confused with: Summer Flounder
Side by side: Winter Flounder vs Summer Flounder
How to Catch Winter Flounder
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- Best in the cold months, March-April - anchor over soft mud or sand and fish small hooks with bloodworm or clam on a spreader rig.GearWinter flounder hooksSpreader rigsLight bottom rod
When & Where Winter Flounder Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Nearshore |
Winter Flounder Regulations
New YorkNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Marine ResourcesConnecticutConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Marine FisheriesRhode IslandRhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Division of Marine FisheriesMassachusettsMassachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF), Department of Fish and Game / Mass.govNew HampshireNew Hampshire Fish and Game Department (Marine Fisheries Division)MaineMaine Department of Marine Resources (DMR)NOAA Fisheries (Greater Atlantic Region / New England-Mid-Atlantic)NEFMCAtlantic States Marine Fisheries CommissionASMFC
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.