Size, bag and season for recreational summer flounder in New Jersey waters, as published by NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, Marine Fisheries.
Also on the agency page: Page directs anglers to NOAA Fisheries for federal-waters summer flounder rules.
Stale: this row was last checked Oct 10, 2026, past our 30-day limit. Treat it as history and go to the agency page.
Rules change in season, sometimes by emergency notice. This page summarizes the agency page on the date shown. If this summary and the agency page disagree, the agency page controls.
Fluke seasons close in the fall in most states, and minimum sizes differ from one state line to the next, sometimes by a half inch.
New Jersey rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Summer flounder are jointly managed by ASMFC and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Federal recreational measures for federal waters are set by NOAA Fisheries and can differ from state rules. NOAA Fisheries · summer flounder ↗
Rules for the same fish change at the state line. If you run across it or land in the next state, those rules apply.
| State | Size | Bag | Status as of Oct 13, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 19" minimum (May 4–Aug 1); 19.5" minimum (Aug 2–Oct 15) | 3 fish per angler per day | Openas of Oct 13 · Open through Oct 15 |
| New York | 19" minimum (May 4–Aug 1); 19.5" minimum (Aug 2–Oct 15) | 3 fish | Openas of Oct 13 · Open through Oct 15 |
| New Jersey | 18" minimum (17" Delaware Bay & tributaries; 16" Island Beach State Park shore fishing) | 3 fish (2 at Island Beach State Park shore fishing) | Closedas of Oct 13 |
| Delaware | 16" (Jan 1–May 31); 17.5" (Jun 1–Dec 31) | 4 | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Maryland | 16" (Jan 1–May 31); 17.5" (Jun 1–Dec 31) | 4 per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
All 13 states for summer flounder →
Attributed operator claims, not verified catches. The full Bite Wire →
The boat reported an improved keeper ratio for fluke to the north, sea bass in the mix, and continued limits-plus bluefish action before an approaching windy period.
Reports pointed to wind-sensitive fluke fishing, chummed bluefish limits, and school bluefin activity in northern New Jersey waters.
