inshore

Southern Flounder

Paralichthys lethostigma

Ambush predator on sandy bottom. Live finger mullet or mud minnow on a Carolina rig, fall flounder run is the prime window.

Preferred water temp60–75°F

Preferred depth5–100 ft

Peak monthsSep, Oct, Nov

Holds onsand bottom near drop-offs, channel edges, inlet mouths

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 26, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 10 of 10 regulations

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit

5 / angler / day

Minimum

14″ TL (total length)

Season

Dec 1, 2026 → Oct 14, 2026Open most of the year; closed Oct 15 – Nov 30 for spawning

Closed Oct 15 – Nov 30 statewide (spawning). 5/person, 14" min. Combined flounder species (Southern + Gulf + Summer).

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

5/person/day, 12" TL min.

Georgia DNR.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 15″ TL (total length)

5/person/day, 15" TL min. CLOSED Nov 1 - Dec 14 each year (spawning run). Reduced bag (2/day) during recovery window — verify TPWD current rules.

Texas Parks & Wildlife.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 15″ TL (total length)

Season set annually via NC DMF proclamation — typically a 2-3 week opening in late Aug/early Sept. 1/person/day, 15" TL min. Closed remainder of year. Verify current proclamation.

NC DMF. Southern flounder stock under rebuilding plan — heavily restricted.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ TL (total length)

5/person/day, 14" TL min. (Combined with Gulf flounder.)

Alabama CNR-MRD.

MS_GULF

Mississippi — State waters (0–3 nm) · MS DMR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ TL (total length)

10/person/day, 14" TL min.

Mississippi DMR.

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

10/person/day, 12" TL min.

Louisiana DWF.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 10 total / vessel / day
Minimum: 16″ TL (total length)

5/person/day, 10/vessel max, 16" TL min. (Combined limit for southern + summer + Gulf flounder.)

SC DNR.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit

5 / angler / day

Minimum

14″ TL (total length)

Season

Invalid Date → Invalid Date

Closed Oct 15 - Nov 30. Spears, gigs, hook/line, seine, cast net.

FL Gulf flounder: 5/day, 14" TL, Oct-Nov closure.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit

5 / angler / day

Minimum

14″ TL (total length)

Season

Invalid Date → Invalid Date

Closed Oct 15 - Nov 30. Spears, gigs, hook/line, seine, cast net allowed. Multi-hook with bait prohibited.

FL Atlantic flounder: 5/day, 14" TL, annual Oct-Nov closure.