Summer Flounder

Season in Long Island

Peak months: Aug.

NY Sea Grant: fish start to appear the last week of April, the season picks up in May with peak action in August, and fish are around until October (or as late as November) as the water cools. OTW: fluke just picking up in the back bays mid-May 2026; strong from the South Shore bays and ocean reefs to the Sound in late July 2026; quality ocean fluke in Moriches in late August 2026. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Edges of deep water where current moves, inlets and rips over shoals; 5 to 15 ft in the bays early in the season, moving to 25 to 40 ft edges by August, with bigger fish on ocean reefs in 50 to 60 ft. Drift from a boat, or fish bridges and piers (less productive).

On the bottom along jetty walls, inlet edges and trough edges.

What to look for

Five large eyespots on the back half of the body tell it from southern flounder (no distinct spots) and Gulf flounder (three spots).

What to throw

Bucktail or jighead with a 4 to 5 in paddle tail1/2 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in tail. Slow hops along the bottom: lift, drop, let it touch, repeat.

Jighead with a scented soft-plastic shrimp or mullet (Gulp style)1/4 to 1/2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Slow drag and hop on the bottom with pauses; scent does the work.

Sand eel teaser (dropper ahead of a plug)Weightless; the plug behind it gives casting weight oz, Small sand eel or spearing imitation: fly, Red Gill or soft plastic. Fished with the plug; slow.

Bait

Live mud minnows (spring), Live finger mullet (as water warms). Carolina rig: 3/4 to 1 1/2 oz egg sinker, about 12 in leader, No. 2 to 1/0 hook; let the current move it.

Leader

About 12 in of leader on a Carolina rig.

Common mistakes

• Setting the hook too fast on live bait
• Reeling the bait along instead of letting the current move it

Landing

Net it; do not lift a flounder by the line.

Handling

• Sharp teeth

Use pliers to unhook.

Keep or release

Good eating. Many short fish; check the New York size and season.

Recipes for summer flounder

Typical: unknown. Large: Doormats over 8 lb. NY record 22.44 lb (1975), also the all-tackle world record.

New York (marine waters) limits

No state limit entry.

Last checked 2026-10-17. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. New York State DEC fishing regulations.

Sources

• New York Sea Grant fish profile: Summer Flounder (Cornell, 2001) (Official source)
• On The Water: Long Island and NYC Fishing Report, May 14, 2026 (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Long Island and NYC Fishing Report, July 23, 2026 (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Long Island and NYC Fishing Report, August 27, 2026 (Angler knowledge)
• NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-151: summer flounder essential fish habitat (Official source)
• SCDNR species profile: summer flounder (Official source)
• NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records Program (Official source)

All the fish of Long Island