SlotGaugeCheck a catchWinter Flounder regulations in Delaware
Flounders · Saltwater · 2026 season
Winter Flounder size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | February 11 – April 10 | 12 inch minimum | 2 per person per day |
Exact DNREC wording
- Season
- February 11 to April 10
- Size
- 12 inch minimum (total length)
- Limit
- 2
Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).
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About the winter flounder
Species of fish
The winter flounder, also known as the black back, is a right-eyed ("dextral") flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is native to coastal waters of the western north Atlantic coast, from Labrador, Canada to Georgia, United States, although it is less common south of Delaware Bay. It is the most common near-shore (shallow-water) flounder in the waters from Newfoundland down through Massachusetts Bay, reaching a maximum size around 61 cm in length and 2.25 kg in weight. The species grows larger on Georges Bank, where they can reach a length of 70 cm and weight of 3.6 kg. Although winter flounder historically supported large commercial and recreational fisheries, biomass and landings have decreased since the 1980s.
Read more about Winter flounder on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.
All 196 Delaware species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Winter Flounder in Delaware?
12 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.
How many Winter Flounder can you keep per day in Delaware?
2 per person per day.
When is Winter Flounder season in Delaware?
February 11 – April 10.
Is my Winter Flounder a keeper today?
The winter flounder season is closed today. It is open February 11 – April 10.