When is summer flounder (fluke) season in Delaware?

All year (DNREC 2026); 4 / day with a seasonal minimum size — 16 in Jan 1 – May 31, 17.5 in Jun 1 – Dec 31. Confirm current year. Those are the 2026 Delaware dates; always confirm against Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) — Division of Fish & Wildlife before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

What is the Delaware bag limit for summer flounder (fluke)?

The Delaware daily bag limit for summer flounder (fluke) is 4 / day per angler (recreational, DNREC 2026 ASMFC-allotted). 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 Delaware?

The Delaware size rule for summer flounder (fluke) is 16 in min Jan 1 – May 31; 17.5 in min Jun 1 – Dec 31 (DNREC 2026 seasonal minimum).

Do you need a license to fish for summer flounder (fluke) in Delaware?

Yes. Delaware 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 Delaware license — compare resident and non-resident Delaware fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for summer flounder (fluke) in Delaware?

Yes. In Delaware, summer flounder (fluke) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited; DE Recreational Saltwater Fisherman Identification Number (FIN) FREE registry-based ages 16+ — registration required, no fee, in addition to the Fishing Licence; Confirm current-year DNREC Marine Fisheries notices — ASMFC-driven rule changes annually; Circle hooks recommended on natural-bait bottom rigs.

Do specific Delaware waters have different summer flounder (fluke) rules?

Yes. 6 named Delaware waters carry rules that override the statewide summer flounder (fluke) regulation, including Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean — DE coast, Indian River Inlet, and 3 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Delaware Summer flounder (fluke) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Paralichthys dentatus

Last updated May 26, 2026

Summer flounder — universally called 'fluke' on the DE coast — is one of the most-targeted recreational bottom-fish in Delaware Bay + the Atlantic coast + Rehoboth + Indian River Bays + Little Assawoman Bay. DNREC regulates fluke under the ASMFC interstate Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan with size + bag rules set annually by DNREC Marine Fisheries — the current DE 2026 rule is an all-year open season + 4 fish per angler per day with a SEASONAL minimum size: 16 inches January 1 – May 31, stepping up to 17.5 inches June 1 – December 31 (the lower spring minimum captures the early back-bay run before the summer ocean fish arrive). Delaware Bay holds dense fluke populations on the deep-channel structure + the artificial reef program (DNREC has deployed 14 artificial reefs across Delaware Bay + Atlantic since 1995, including the Brown Shoal Reef, Reef Site #11, and the Old Grounds Reef — major fluke concentration sites). Indian River Inlet + the back-bay flats of Rehoboth + Indian River + Little Assawoman Bays carry the shore + small-boat fluke fishery. Always confirm current-year DNREC Marine Fisheries notices — fluke regs are reset every spring with the ASMFC stock assessment.

Compare summer flounder (fluke) regulations across all states →

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Season

All year (DNREC 2026); 4 / day with a seasonal minimum size — 16 in Jan 1 – May 31, 17.5 in Jun 1 – Dec 31. Confirm current year.

Jan 1 – May 31DE ocean + bays
16 in minimum size window (DNREC 2026)
Jun 1 – Dec 31DE ocean + bays
17.5 in minimum size window (DNREC 2026)

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 4 / day per angler (recreational, DNREC 2026 ASMFC-allotted)
Possession: 4 in possession (recreational)

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 16 in min Jan 1 – May 31; 17.5 in min Jun 1 – Dec 31 (DNREC 2026 seasonal minimum)

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited
DE Recreational Saltwater Fisherman Identification Number (FIN) FREE registry-based ages 16+ — registration required, no fee, in addition to the Fishing Licence
Confirm current-year DNREC 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 Delaware waters:

Delaware Bay
16 in min (Jan 1 – May 31) / 17.5 in min (Jun 1 – Dec 31), 4 / day per current DNREC notice; dense fluke + DNREC artificial reef program 14 reefs
Atlantic Ocean — DE coast
16 in min (Jan 1 – May 31) / 17.5 in min (Jun 1 – Dec 31), 4 / day; offshore deep-water + ocean reefs
Indian River Inlet
16 in min (Jan 1 – May 31) / 17.5 in min (Jun 1 – Dec 31), 4 / day; jetty + bridge fluke + drift fishing
Rehoboth Bay + Indian River Bay
16 in min (Jan 1 – May 31) / 17.5 in min (Jun 1 – Dec 31), 4 / day; shallow back-bay drift fishing
Little Assawoman Bay
16 in min (Jan 1 – May 31) / 17.5 in min (Jun 1 – Dec 31), 4 / day; small-craft back-bay fishery
Cape Henlopen State Park
16 in min (Jan 1 – May 31) / 17.5 in min (Jun 1 – Dec 31), 4 / day; Lewes Breakwater + pier

Official source

Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) — Division of Fish & Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Delawarefishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official Delaware fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Summer flounder (fluke) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control's emergency-order feed — check it before any Delaware trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is summer flounder (fluke) season in Delaware?: All year (DNREC 2026); 4 / day with a seasonal minimum size — 16 in Jan 1 – May 31, 17.5 in Jun 1 – Dec 31. Confirm current year. Those are the 2026 Delaware dates; always confirm against Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) — Division of Fish & Wildlife before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the Delaware bag limit for summer flounder (fluke)?: The Delaware daily bag limit for summer flounder (fluke) is 4 / day per angler (recreational, DNREC 2026 ASMFC-allotted). 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 Delaware?: The Delaware size rule for summer flounder (fluke) is 16 in min Jan 1 – May 31; 17.5 in min Jun 1 – Dec 31 (DNREC 2026 seasonal minimum).
Do you need a license to fish for summer flounder (fluke) in Delaware?: Yes. Delaware 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 Delaware license — compare resident and non-resident Delaware fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for summer flounder (fluke) in Delaware?: Yes. In Delaware, summer flounder (fluke) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited; DE Recreational Saltwater Fisherman Identification Number (FIN) FREE registry-based ages 16+ — registration required, no fee, in addition to the Fishing Licence; Confirm current-year DNREC Marine Fisheries notices — ASMFC-driven rule changes annually; Circle hooks recommended on natural-bait bottom rigs.
Do specific Delaware waters have different summer flounder (fluke) rules?: Yes. 6 named Delaware waters carry rules that override the statewide summer flounder (fluke) regulation, including Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean — DE coast, Indian River Inlet, and 3 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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