Summer Flounder in Virginia
summer flounder under the 2026 Virginia rules.
- 4 a day (salt)bag
Pick for flounderPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of the species, not a Virginia water: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
What Virginia rules say about summer flounder
Look to the Administrative Code's marine chapters for summer flounder; the DWR freshwater table has no row for them. The VMRC section in force on November 6, 2026 says 16-inch minimum; 4 per person a day; Open year-round (January 1 through May 31 size) (Tidal waters except Potomac River tributaries).
No DWR record, stocking date or water page here is tied to it yet.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-620-50 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
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| Area as written | Size | Per person | Season | Code section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidal waters except Potomac River tributaries | 16 in minimum | 4 | Open year-round (January 1 through May 31 size) | 4VAC20-620-50 |
| Tidal waters except Potomac River tributaries | 17.5 in minimum | 4 | Open year-round (June 1 through December 31 size) | 4VAC20-620-50 |
| Potomac River tributaries | not stated | not stated | not stated | 4VAC20-620-60 |
Possession limit from 4VAC20-620-60, season from 4VAC20-620-70.
Possession limit from 4VAC20-620-60, season from 4VAC20-620-70.
Size, possession limit and season are those set by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-620-50 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
summer flounder in the words of the Administrative Code
4VAC20-620-50, Minimum size limits.
“A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length. B. The minimum size of summer flounder harvested by recreational fishing gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig, shall be 16 inches in total length January 1 through May 31 and 17.5 inches in total length June 1 through December 31, except that the minimum size of summer flounder harvested in the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any summer flounder smaller than the designated minimum size limit. D.”
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-620-50 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
Other Virginia fish near summer flounder
- Atlantic Croaker50 a day (salt)
- Atlantic Spadefish4 a day (salt)
- Black Drum1 a day (salt)
- Black Sea Bass15 a day (salt)
- Bluefish5 a day (salt)
- Blueline Tilefish3 a day (salt)
- Cobia1 a day (salt)
- Golden Tilefish8 a day (salt)
Piscifun reels for a Virginia day on Virginia summer flounder
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Ridge-ringed reservoirs and creek bends near Summer Flounder, photographed
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0
Old Dominion Summer Flounder, asked at the ramp
What is the statewide summer flounder creel in Virginia?
The marine code sets 16-inch minimum; 4 per person a day; Open year-round (January 1 through May 31 size) (Tidal waters except Potomac River tributaries) as of November 6, 2026.
Does DWR list a record summer flounder?
The DWR freshwater record list as of 9-2-2025 has no entry for it.
Which Virginia pages here mention summer flounder?
No Virginia lake page lists it at this point.
Where does the summer flounder rule change in Virginia?
Exception lines do not name it; posted rules on a water still apply.
Were summer flounder stocked in Virginia recently?
The schedule leaves it out.
Which Virginia license covers summer flounder?
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Which family do summer flounder belong to in Virginia?
No scientific name was printed for it in the DWR data read here.
On which Virginia dates can summer flounder be fished license-free?
Virginia DWR set Free Fishing Days for June 5–7, 2026: no freshwater fishing license needed, all other rules apply. Size and creel rules stay in force.
Pick a Virginia water for summer flounder
Each water page lists its DWR ramps, piers and digest lines.