What's Biting FL

Flounder regulations

Flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma · Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC, Public domain

Bounce jigs tipped with shrimp or mud minnows along inlet edges, jetties, dock pilings and sandy drops. The fall run at the inlets is the peak.

Applies to: state and federal waters off Florida

Species / zoneSeasonSizeBagNotes
Gulf flounder
Statewide
closed now
Closed annually from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
14" total length5 per personLegal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Illegal Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Southern flounder
Statewide
closed now
Closed annually from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
14" total length5 per personLegal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Illegal Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
summer flounder
Statewide
closed now
Closed annually from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
14" total length5 per personLegal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Illegal Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
fringed flounder
Statewide
closed now
Closed annually from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
14" total length5 per personLegal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Illegal Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Source: FWC, extracted 2026-10-29.

Seasonal pattern

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