Florida summer flounder closes after October 14; the FWC annual harvest closure runs through November 30
Wednesday October 14 is the last day to legally retain flounder in Florida. The FWC annual closure takes effect October 15 and runs through November 30, reopening December 1. The rule applies to all four flounder species in state and federal waters off Florida. Current rules are 5 fish per person per day with a 14-inch total length minimum.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closes the recreational flounder season annually from October 15 through November 30. Wednesday October 14 is the last legal day to retain flounder before the closure. The rule covers all four flounder species in Florida, summer, southern, Gulf, and fringed flounder, in state waters and in federal waters off Florida. Anglers fishing the offshore Atlantic corridor beyond 3 nautical miles fall inside the same closure; there is no separate federal season for flounder off Florida that extends past October 14.
Through Wednesday, the bag limit is 5 flounder per person per day and the minimum size is 14 inches total length. Snatching and the use of multiple hooks with natural bait are prohibited year-round statewide. FWC implemented the annual fall closure in 2021. Current rules are at myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/flounder/. FWC posts any in-season emergency changes to that page before anywhere else; the agency page on the day of the trip is the reliable check.
The season reopens December 1 with the same 14-inch minimum and 5-fish bag limit. Florida Atlantic-coast anglers should check current NWS marine products before launching through mid-week; small-craft advisories and elevated swell from the Columbus Day storm affected northeast Florida and Georgia coastal corridors through this week. The Indian River Lagoon spotted seatrout closure on November 1 is the next regulation window for Florida Atlantic inshore anglers. FWC products are the controlling source.
On the water: Rules and conditions can change quickly. Confirm current regulations and official marine forecasts for your exact trip.