Atlantic Flatfish - , Southern, Winter, Yellowtail and Summer Flounder (Fluke)

Summer flounder (P. dentatis) are found in inshore and offshore waters from Nova Scotia, Canada to the east coast of Florida. In the U.S., they are most abundant in the Mid-Atlantic region from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Cape Fear, North Carolina. Summer flounder typically spawn when they reach lengths of about 10 inches and age 2-3. Spawning occurs in the fall in the ocean.

Summer flounder in northern areas spawn and move offshore (depths of 120 to 600 feet) earlier than southern fish. Larvae migrate to inshore bays and coastal areas from fall thru spring. The larvae, or fry, transform from free-swimming fish to life on the bottom waters and spend their first year in bays and other inshore areas. Juvenile flounder join adults in their offshore migration at about one year of age.

Summer flounder spend most of their adult life on or burrowed in the sea bottom. Flounder feed by lying in ambush for their prey. They strike quickly, grasping their prey with well-developed teeth. Their diet consists of small fish, squid, sea worms, shrimp, and other crustaceans.

Flounder are not born with both eyes on one side. During growth, the "bottom" eye migrates to the upward-facing side of its body.

This allows the flounder to lie on one side, burying in the sand where it can ambush its prey.

photo credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce

Flounder fishing is extremely popular in Virginia. Towns like Chincoteague, Wachapreague and Quimby are well known for their access to flounder hotspots. Some anglers specialize in catching this fish almost exclusively while other choose to target them only at certain times. While no single location, technique or angler is a guarantee of success, there are a few tricks to the fishery.

On the coast of Virginia, especially, the Delmarva Peninsula, flounder fishing is a spring ritual for many anglers. Locals and transient fishermen alike converge on the inshore waterways each spring for the opening weeks of flounder fishing.

The action typically begins around Machipongo, Quimby and Wachapreague and within days spreads north to Chincoteague and eventually into Maryland and Delaware. The first fish may come in March but April sees the main thrust of fish. The surge of incoming fish can continue into May.

The early spring action involves several key factors that can make or break the anglers success. Water temperature seems to play a critical role in influencing the fish to become active. My rule of thumb is to look for water temps around 55 degrees. This is only a guide and many fish have been caught in colder water. Water temperature is very complicated and surface temperature is not always an indicator of the situation at other depths. Tide is also a big factor and the tide-water temperature relationship is a key factor.

Read this article in full here:

Fishing For Flounder
in Maryland and Virginia Waters

Flounder is low in fat and a source of B vitamins and niacin. For more on nutrition values of seafood, see USDA Nutrition Facts.

For flounder and other seafood recipes see Fresh Seafood Recipes.

Since 1993, summer flounder has been under a rebuilding plan that seeks to reduce fishing mortality (the amount of fish landed) and continue rebuilding the stock. A 10-year rebuilding plan began in 2000 and would have ended January 1, 2010; however, the recent Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act extended the summer flounder rebuilding plan to January 1, 2013.

In a 2007 letter to W. Peter Jensen, chairman of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, then head of NMFS William T. Hogarth wrote "I urge you to consider new approaches for 2008 that will better ensure that the recreational targets will not be exceeded."

Hogarth noted that the Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey indicated that all but two East Coast states exceeded their 2007 targets by the end of August.

He went on to warn that "if the measures implemented by the states to manage the 2008 recreational fishery are not effective to constraining harvest within the recreational harvest limit, NMFS is prepared to close the summer flounder recreational fishery in the Exclusive Economic Zone."

Southern Flounder

Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) occur from North Carolina to the mouth of the Rio Grande and southward into Mexico. Female of the species may reach lengths up to 36 inches and weigh over 20 pounds while males seldom exceed 12 inches in length.

Winter Flounder

Winter flounder are an important commercial and recreational fish throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Inshore habitat degradation and overfishing have contributed to serious stock declines throughout the species' range, leaving both fisheries at a fraction of their historical numbers.

Yellowtail Flounder

Yellowtail flounder reach maximum sizes of roughly 22 inches total length and 2.2 pounds in weight. They are found along the Atlantic coast of North America from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Labrador, and Newfoundland to the Chesapeake Bay. Yellowtail flounder prefer sandy bottoms in waters between 130 and 230 feet.

Maryland's 2009 Summer Flounder season is underway, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging anglers to get involved with the State's summer flounder survey.

"The anglers who volunteer their catch data as part of this survey play an important role in summer flounder management in Maryland, as well as along the Atlantic Coast," said Fisheries Director Tom O'Connell. "As we prepare to begin another exciting summer flounder season, it is important that anglers continue to provide us all of the same valuable data they have in the past which helps guide future decisions to ensure a sustainable summer flounder population."

By recording information on fishing trips that target summer flounder, anglers become active participants in summer flounder management. The survey data are later used to guide DNR's establishment of creel, minimum size and season limits for flounder.

For 2009, anglers are encouraged to measure to the nearest quarter inch, continue to report trips where flounder are targeted but not caught, and promote the survey to fellow anglers, especially in less-fished areas. Anglers are reminded to fill out the survey in full, providing data about the date, location, and number of anglers in the party, method used and the total number of flounder kept, as well as the total number released.

The average length of flounder caught in 2008 was 13.4 inches, which has remained relatively consistent for the past seven years. In 2008, a total of 11,056 fish were reported caught on 883 trips. The majority of angler activity occurred along the Atlantic coast, with less than 6 percent taking place in the Chesapeake Bay. Approximately 10 percent of trips targeting flounder resulted in no flounder being caught.

To learn more or to participate in the survey visit:

http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/survey/sfsurveyintro.html

Information and survey packets are also available by mail, through contacting Allison Luettel at 410-260-8343 or aluettel@dnr.state.md.us.

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Broiled Flounder Parmesan

2 pounds flounder fillets
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
3 green onions, chopped
thinly sliced lemon and parsley for garnish, optional

Place fillets in a single layer on a greased baking dish or broiler
pan; brush with lemon juice.

Combine Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, salt, butter, and green onions in
a small bowl; set aside.

Broil flounder fillets 4 to 6 minutes, or until fish flakes easily
with a fork. Remove from oven; spread with cheese
mixture.

Broil about 30 seconds longer, or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.

Garnish with sliced lemon and parsley if desired.

Serves 6 to 8.

Sea Fish

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ATTENTION FISHERMEN:

Florescent green circular tags are pinned through the anterior dorsal region of the fish (see graphic). The "button" portion of the tag bears a serial number and a contact phone number. A select number of fish will also have acoustic tracking tags attached. We encourage the release of any tagged fish with the tag still attached, especially sub-legal sized fish, so that further data can be collected from subsequent recaptures. Any fish with tracking tags should be retained since the tags are reusable.

Whom to contact?

Fishermen encountering these tags are requested to report recapture information to Paul Caruso at the following addresses or phone number:

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
1213 Purchase St- 3rd Floor
New Bedford, MA 02740
E-mail: paul.caruso@state.ma.us
Phone number 508-990-2860 x 107

What to report?

The serial number, location of recapture, date captured, length of the fish, and your name, address, and telephone number should all be

reported. Responders will receive a reward, and randomly selected responders will receive a $100 gift certificate, good for the purchase of fishing equipment or supplies.

Why are summer flounder being tagged?

Summer flounder are being tagged in Massachusetts's waters to determine movement patterns and if the same fish return to local waters in subsequent years. Results of this study could allow the evaluation of alternative management strategies in the future that could benefit local fisheries.