Gulf flounder in Florida
Where to catch gulf flounder, plus limits and records.
Photo: Aiowazc, CC BY-SA 3.0
Catching Gulf flounder in Florida
Gulf flounder (Paralichthys albigutta) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species.
Know your gulf flounder
Home water for gulf flounder
“Inshore on sandy or mud bottoms, often ranging into tidal creeks.”
“Occasionally caught on nearshore rocky reefs.”
How gulf flounder feed and spawn
“Right eye migrates over to left side early in life.”
“A bottom-dweller thought to spawn offshore.”
“Feeds on crustaceans and small fishes.”
“Ability to camouflage by changing colors to match their surrounding habitat and avoid predators.”
Seasons for gulf flounder
“Right eye migrates over to left side early in life.”
“A bottom-dweller thought to spawn offshore.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida gulf flounder limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | Closed annually Oct. 15 through Nov. 30 |
Regulations apply in state and federal waters off Florida.
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida bays for gulf flounder
Big Bend region
- Alligator HarborFranklin
- Apalachee BayWakulla
- Deadman BayTaylor
- Ochlockonee BayFranklin, Wakulla
- Suwannee SoundLevy
- Waccasassa BayLevy
- Withlacoochee BayLevy
Charlotte Harbor region
- Charlotte HarborCharlotte, Lee
- Estero BayLee
- Gasparilla SoundCharlotte, Lee
- Lemon BayCharlotte, Sarasota
- Matlacha PassLee
- Pine Island SoundLee
- San Carlos BayLee
Indian River Lagoon region
- Banana RiverBrevard
- Hobe SoundMartin
- Indian River (Indian River Lagoon)Brevard, Indian River
- Jupiter SoundMartin, Palm Beach
- Loxahatchee River estuaryMartin, Palm Beach
- Mosquito LagoonBrevard, Volusia
- St. Lucie River estuaryMartin, St. Lucie
Northeast region
- Cumberland SoundNassau
- Halifax RiverVolusia
- Matanzas RiverFlagler, St. Johns
- Nassau SoundDuval, Nassau
- Tolomato RiverSt. Johns
Panhandle region
- Apalachicola BayFranklin
- Big LagoonEscambia
- Blackwater BaySanta Rosa
- Choctawhatchee BayOkaloosa, Walton
- East Bay (Bay County)Bay, Gulf
- East Bay (Franklin County)Franklin
- East Bay (Santa Rosa County)Santa Rosa
- Escambia BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- North Bay (Bay County)Bay
- Pensacola BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- Perdido BayEscambia
- Santa Rosa SoundEscambia, Okaloosa
- St. Andrew BayBay
- St. Andrew SoundBay
- St. George SoundFranklin
- St. Joseph BayGulf
- St. Vincent SoundFranklin, Gulf
- West Bay (Bay County)Bay
Sarasota Bay region
- Little Sarasota BaySarasota
- Palma Sola BayManatee
- Roberts Bay (Siesta Key)Sarasota
- Roberts Bay (Venice)Sarasota
- Sarasota BayManatee, Sarasota
Southeast region
- Barnes SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Biscayne BayMiami-Dade
- Card SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Florida BayMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Lake Worth LagoonPalm Beach
Southwest region
- Chokoloskee BayCollier
- Fakahatchee BayCollier
- Naples BayCollier
- Ponce de Leon BayMonroe
- Whitewater BayMonroe
Tampa Bay region
- Boca Ciega BayPinellas
- Clearwater HarborPinellas
- Hillsborough BayHillsborough
- Old Tampa BayHillsborough, Pinellas
- St. Joseph SoundPinellas
- Tampa BayHillsborough, Manatee
Other Florida saltwater fish
Florida gulf flounder: common questions
What are the Florida rules for keeping gulf flounder?
5 a day (Statewide), size: 14 in minimum.
What does the Florida record gulf flounder weigh?
FWC lists no weight record for gulf flounder.
Which Florida waters hold gulf flounder?
The lists above show where gulf flounder are caught.
Are gulf flounder stocked in Florida?
No recent FWC stocking of gulf flounder is listed.
What size gulf flounder counts for a Big Catch certificate?
FWC lists no Big Catch minimum for gulf flounder.
What is the taxonomic name of gulf flounder?
Paralichthys albigutta.
Can I fish for gulf flounder without a license?
Yes, a Florida saltwater license from age 16 unless exempt.
Can I keep gulf flounder year round?
Yes: Closed annually Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
What sources cover gulf flounder here?
FWC, which sets Florida fishing rules.