2026 regulation year
Connecticut Summer flounder (fluke) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Paralichthys dentatus
Last updated
Summer flounder — called 'fluke' on the CT coast — is one of the most-targeted recreational bottom-fish in Long Island Sound. CT regulates fluke under the ASMFC interstate Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan with size + bag rules set annually by DEEP Marine Fisheries — the standard ocean + bay rule for 2025-26 is 18-inch minimum + 4 fish per angler per day during the open season (typical May 4 – October 9, varies by year). The western Long Island Sound basin (Greenwich + Stamford + Norwalk + Bridgeport + New Haven) holds high densities of summer fluke May through September; the eastern basin (Niantic Bay + New London + Stonington + Watch Hill Reef + the Block Island Sound transition zone) holds trophy doormat fluke 7+ lb on the deep edges. Always confirm current-year DEEP notices — fluke regs are reset every spring with the ASMFC stock assessment.
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Season
Per annual CT DEEP Marine Fisheries notice — typical Long Island Sound May 4 – Oct 9. Confirm current year.
– Long Island Sound + Connecticut River tidal section
Typical DEEP season — confirm current year
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 4 / day per angler (recreational, ASMFC harmonized)
- Possession
- 4 in possession (recreational)
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 18 in min Long Island Sound (typical 2025-26 DEEP rule) — confirm current year
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited
- CT Marine Waters Fishing Licence (free, annual) required
- Confirm current-year DEEP Marine Fisheries notices — ASMFC-driven rule changes annually
- Circle hooks recommended on natural-bait bottom rigs
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Connecticut waters:
Long Island Sound
18 in min, 4 / day; densest CT fluke populations May – September
Long Island Sound
18 in min, 4 / day; New Haven + Branford + Guilford
Long Island Sound
18 in min, 4 / day; Niantic Bay + Watch Hill Reef trophy doormat zone
Connecticut River tidal section
18 in min, 4 / day; tidal Hartford to Saybrook
Thames River + Mystic River + Stonington Harbor
18 in min, 4 / day; eastern CT estuaries
Official source
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions publishes the authoritative 2026 Connecticutfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.
The summer flounder (fluke) rules on this page are sourced from Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions's official summer flounder (fluke) regulation page.
Visit official Connecticut fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
Summer flounder (fluke) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's emergency-order feed — check it before any Connecticut trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is summer flounder (fluke) season in Connecticut?
- Per annual CT DEEP Marine Fisheries notice — typical Long Island Sound May 4 – Oct 9. Confirm current year. Those are the 2026 Connecticut dates; always confirm against Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
- What is the Connecticut bag limit for summer flounder (fluke)?
- The Connecticut daily bag limit for summer flounder (fluke) is 4 / day per angler (recreational, ASMFC harmonized). The possession limit is 4 in possession (recreational). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
- What size summer flounder (fluke) can you keep in Connecticut?
- The Connecticut size rule for summer flounder (fluke) is 18 in min Long Island Sound (typical 2025-26 DEEP rule) — confirm current year.
- Do you need a license to fish for summer flounder (fluke) in Connecticut?
- Yes. Connecticut requires a valid fishing license to fish for summer flounder (fluke), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Connecticut license — compare resident and non-resident Connecticut fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for summer flounder (fluke) in Connecticut?
- Yes. In Connecticut, summer flounder (fluke) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited; CT Marine Waters Fishing Licence (free, annual) required; Confirm current-year DEEP Marine Fisheries notices — ASMFC-driven rule changes annually; Circle hooks recommended on natural-bait bottom rigs.
- Do specific Connecticut waters have different summer flounder (fluke) rules?
- Yes. 5 named Connecticut waters carry rules that override the statewide summer flounder (fluke) regulation, including Long Island Sound, Long Island Sound, Long Island Sound, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.