2026 regulation year
Rhode Island Summer flounder (fluke) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Paralichthys dentatus
Last updated
Summer flounder — universally called 'fluke' on the RI coast — is one of the most-targeted recreational bottom-fish in Narragansett Bay + Block Island Sound + Rhode Island Sound. RI regulates fluke under the ASMFC interstate Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan with size + bag rules set annually by RIDEM Marine Fisheries — the typical RI 2025-26 rule is 19-inch minimum + 6 fish per angler per day during the open season (typical May 1 – December 31, varies by year — RI's allocation tends to be more generous on bag limit than CT or MA due to the state's specific historical landings share). Block Island Sound + the Block Island Wind Farm hold the densest summer fluke populations; doormat fluke 7+ lb come from Cox Ledge + the deep-water boulder structure around Block Island. Pt. Judith Pond + Charlestown Breachway + Narragansett Pier hold the shore-cast + jetty fluke fishery on the south coast. Always confirm current-year RIDEM Marine Fisheries notices — fluke regs are reset every spring with the ASMFC stock assessment.
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Season
Per annual RIDEM Marine Fisheries notice — typical ocean + bays May 1 – Dec 31. Confirm current year.
– RI ocean + bays + sounds
Typical RIDEM season — confirm current year
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 6 / day per angler (recreational, RI 2025-26 ASMFC-allotted)
- Possession
- 6 in possession (recreational)
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 19 in min (typical 2025-26 RIDEM rule) — confirm current year
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited
- RI Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licence FREE registry-based ages 16+ — registration required, no fee
- Confirm current-year RIDEM 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 Rhode Island waters:
Narragansett Bay
19 in min, 6 / day per current RIDEM notice; deep-water 100+ ft channel + tide rips
Narragansett Bay — West Passage
19 in min, 6 / day; Quonset + Wickford + Dutch Island deep edges
Block Island Sound
19 in min, 6 / day; Cox Ledge + Block Island deep-water + boulder structure — doormat fluke 7+ lb
Block Island Wind Farm
19 in min, 6 / day; turbine-base structure fishing
Rhode Island Sound
19 in min, 6 / day; offshore reef tier
Pt. Judith Pond
19 in min, 6 / day; shore + boat + breachway
Mount Hope Bay
19 in min, 6 / day; RI/MA boundary water
Sakonnet River
19 in min, 6 / day; tidal river / estuary fluke
Official source
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) — Division of Fish & Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Rhode Islandfishing 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 Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) — Division of Fish & Wildlife's official summer flounder (fluke) regulation page.
Visit official Rhode Island fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
Summer flounder (fluke) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's emergency-order feed — check it before any Rhode Island trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is summer flounder (fluke) season in Rhode Island?
- Per annual RIDEM Marine Fisheries notice — typical ocean + bays May 1 – Dec 31. Confirm current year. Those are the 2026 Rhode Island dates; always confirm against Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) — Division of Fish & Wildlife before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
- What is the Rhode Island bag limit for summer flounder (fluke)?
- The Rhode Island daily bag limit for summer flounder (fluke) is 6 / day per angler (recreational, RI 2025-26 ASMFC-allotted). The possession limit is 6 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 Rhode Island?
- The Rhode Island size rule for summer flounder (fluke) is 19 in min (typical 2025-26 RIDEM rule) — confirm current year.
- Do you need a license to fish for summer flounder (fluke) in Rhode Island?
- Yes. Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island license — compare resident and non-resident Rhode Island fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for summer flounder (fluke) in Rhode Island?
- Yes. In Rhode Island, summer flounder (fluke) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; gigs prohibited; RI Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licence FREE registry-based ages 16+ — registration required, no fee; Confirm current-year RIDEM Marine Fisheries notices — ASMFC-driven rule changes annually; Circle hooks recommended on natural-bait bottom rigs.
- Do specific Rhode Island waters have different summer flounder (fluke) rules?
- Yes. 8 named Rhode Island waters carry rules that override the statewide summer flounder (fluke) regulation, including Narragansett Bay, Narragansett Bay — West Passage, Block Island Sound, and 5 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.