When is summer flounder (fluke) season in Maryland?

Per annual MD DNR Tidal Fisheries notice — typical Chesapeake Bay + Atlantic Ocean season open year-round under ASMFC plan with annual rule adjustments. Those are the 2026 Maryland dates; always confirm against Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal) before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

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

The Maryland daily bag limit for summer flounder (fluke) is 4 / day per angler (recreational, ASMFC harmonized — confirm current-year MD DNR notice). 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 Maryland?

The Maryland size rule for summer flounder (fluke) is 16.5 in min Chesapeake Bay; 17 in min Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays (typical 2025-26 — confirm current-year DNR notice).

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

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

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

Yes. In Maryland, summer flounder (fluke) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited in Chesapeake Bay; Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing Licence + MD DNR Tidal Registration (free) required; Confirm current-year MD DNR Tidal Fisheries notices — ASMFC-driven rule changes annually; Circle hooks recommended on natural-bait bottom rigs.

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

Yes. 5 named Maryland waters carry rules that override the statewide summer flounder (fluke) regulation, including Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

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

Paralichthys dentatus

Last updated May 26, 2026

Summer flounder (fluke) is one of Maryland's top recreational saltwater target species, with two distinct fisheries: the Chesapeake Bay tier (16.5-inch minimum, 4 / day per angler — typical 2025-26 MD DNR rule) and the Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays tier (17-inch minimum, 4 / day — typical 2025-26 rule). Sinepuxent + Chincoteague Bays behind Assateague Island carry the densest summertime flounder population on the Maryland coast. The Ocean City inlet + 'Route 50 Bridge' + Thorofare carry famous flounder hot spots from May through October. In the Chesapeake, the lower Bay (Calvert + St. Mary's + Dorchester Counties) and the Eastern Shore tidal tributaries hold the densest fluke. Maryland regulates fluke under the ASMFC interstate Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan, with annual size + bag rules set by DNR Tidal Fisheries — confirm current-year notice before each trip.

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Season

Per annual MD DNR Tidal Fisheries notice — typical Chesapeake Bay + Atlantic Ocean season open year-round under ASMFC plan with annual rule adjustments.

Jan 1 – Dec 31Chesapeake Bay + Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays
Typical year-round under ASMFC plan — confirm current-year MD DNR notice for size + bag rule changes

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 4 / day per angler (recreational, ASMFC harmonized — confirm current-year MD DNR notice)
Possession: 4 in possession (recreational)

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 16.5 in min Chesapeake Bay; 17 in min Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays (typical 2025-26 — confirm current-year DNR notice)

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited in Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing Licence + MD DNR Tidal Registration (free) required
Confirm current-year MD DNR Tidal 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 Maryland waters:

Chesapeake Bay
16.5 in min, 4 / day; light populations — fluke skews south in MD Bay
Chesapeake Bay
16.5 in min, 4 / day; spotty distribution
Chesapeake Bay
16.5 in min, 4 / day; densest MD Chesapeake fluke population
Atlantic Ocean
17 in min, 4 / day; ocean + Ocean City inlet
Sinepuxent + Chincoteague Bays
17 in min, 4 / day; densest MD coastal-bay fluke population May – October

Official source

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal) publishes the authoritative 2026 Marylandfishing 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 Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal)'s official summer flounder (fluke) regulation page.

Visit official Maryland fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

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

Frequently asked questions

When is summer flounder (fluke) season in Maryland?: Per annual MD DNR Tidal Fisheries notice — typical Chesapeake Bay + Atlantic Ocean season open year-round under ASMFC plan with annual rule adjustments. Those are the 2026 Maryland dates; always confirm against Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal) before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the Maryland bag limit for summer flounder (fluke)?: The Maryland daily bag limit for summer flounder (fluke) is 4 / day per angler (recreational, ASMFC harmonized — confirm current-year MD DNR notice). 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 Maryland?: The Maryland size rule for summer flounder (fluke) is 16.5 in min Chesapeake Bay; 17 in min Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays (typical 2025-26 — confirm current-year DNR notice).
Do you need a license to fish for summer flounder (fluke) in Maryland?: Yes. Maryland 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 Maryland license — compare resident and non-resident Maryland fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for summer flounder (fluke) in Maryland?: Yes. In Maryland, summer flounder (fluke) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited in Chesapeake Bay; Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing Licence + MD DNR Tidal Registration (free) required; Confirm current-year MD DNR Tidal Fisheries notices — ASMFC-driven rule changes annually; Circle hooks recommended on natural-bait bottom rigs.
Do specific Maryland waters have different summer flounder (fluke) rules?: Yes. 5 named Maryland waters carry rules that override the statewide summer flounder (fluke) regulation, including Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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