Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Summer Flounder have eyes on the left side (yellowtail, winter, and witch flounder have eyes on the right side).

On top, they have a dozen or so brown spots that help blend into the sea floor. The underside is all white.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	January 1 - May 31: 16 inch minimum (total length) June 1 - December 31: 17.5 inch minimum (total length)
Daily Limit / Person	4
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and Inland Bays
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Common
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Summer Flounder can be found in coastal and estuarine waters from spring to fall. They feed on small fishes, squids, marine worms, and shrimps.
Did You Know?	Summer Flounder have eyes on the left side (yellowtail, winter, and witch flounder have their eyes on the right side). Like most flounder, at birth, the Summer Flounder has one eye on each side of its head. As it grows one eye migrates to the other side of its body. As a result, the eyes are then on the side which faces up.
Common Lures and Baits	Summer Flounder will take a variety of artificial lures such as buck tails and spoons but are most commonly fished for by drifting minnows and squid strips on bottom rigs.
Typical Sizes Caught	Summer Flounder are commonly caught in the range of 14 to 20 inches by Delaware anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 25 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 23 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 7 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 5 pounds minimum Summer Flounder are eligible for the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament and Live Release Award programs "Flounder" awards, but not currently eligible for an individual species citation.
Delaware State Record	17 pounds 15 ounces William Kendall 1974 Summer Flounder are eligible for the general "Flounder" record, which it currently holds. Summer Flounder are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government