Can I Keep?Summer flounder Regulations in Delaware (2026)
Recreational summer flounder rules in Delaware saltwater, as published by the Delaware DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.
Size limit
16 in minimum
Bag limit
4 per person
Season
January 1 through May 31 (size-limit period)
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Recreational Summer flounder rules in Delaware
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 2.0 It shall be unlawful for any person, other than qualified persons as set forth in section 4.0 of this regulation, to possess any summer flounder that measure less than 16 inches between the tip of the snout and the furthest tip of the tail from January 1 through May 31 and less than 17 1/2 inches from June 1 through December 31.
- Bag limit
- 1.0 It shall be unlawful for any recreational fisherman to have in possession more than 4 summer flounder at or between the place where said summer flounder were caught and said recreational fisherman's personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging.
- Possession
- 1.0 It shall be unlawful for any recreational fisherman to have in possession more than 4 summer flounder at or between the place where said summer flounder were caught and said recreational fisherman's personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging.
- Season
- January 1 through May 31 (size-limit period)
- Two size-limit periods; this record covers the dates in 'seasons'. No closed season is stated in 3511.
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 2.0 It shall be unlawful for any person, other than qualified persons as set forth in section 4.0 of this regulation, to possess any summer flounder that measure less than 16 inches between the tip of the snout and the furthest tip of the tail from January 1 through May 31 and less than 17 1/2 inches from June 1 through December 31.
- Bag limit
- 1.0 It shall be unlawful for any recreational fisherman to have in possession more than 4 summer flounder at or between the place where said summer flounder were caught and said recreational fisherman's personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging.
- Possession
- 1.0 It shall be unlawful for any recreational fisherman to have in possession more than 4 summer flounder at or between the place where said summer flounder were caught and said recreational fisherman's personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging.
- Season
- June 1 through December 31 (size-limit period)
- Two size-limit periods; this record covers the dates in 'seasons'. No closed season is stated in 3511.
Commercial rules
Show 3 commercial rules
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 4.0 Notwithstanding the size limits and possession limits in this regulation, a person may possess a summer flounder that measures no less than 14 inches between the tip of the snout and the furthest tip of the tail and a quantity of summer flounder in excess of the possession limit set forth in this regulation, provided said person has one of the following: 4.4 A valid commercial food fishing license and a food fishing equipment permit for gill nets.
- Bag limit
- 6.0 It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land more than 200 pounds of summer flounder in any 1 day in this State.
- 4.4 A valid commercial food fishing license and a food fishing equipment permit for gill nets.
- 5.0 It shall be unlawful for any commercial finfisherman to sell, trade and or barter or attempt to sell, trade and or barter any summer flounder or part thereof that is landed in this State by said commercial fisherman after a date when the de minimis amount of commercial landings of summer flounder is determined to have been landed in this State by the Department. The de minimis amount of summer flounder shall be 0.1% of the coast wide commercial quota as set forth in the Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 2.0 It shall be unlawful for any person, other than qualified persons as set forth in section 4.0 of this regulation, to possess any summer flounder that measure less than 16 inches between the tip of the snout and the furthest tip of the tail from January 1 through May 31 and less than 17 1/2 inches from June 1 through December 31.
- Bag limit
- 7.0 It shall be unlawful for any person, who has been issued a commercial food fishing license and fishes for summer flounder with any food fishing equipment other than a gill net, to have in possession more than 4 summer flounder at or between the place where said summer flounder were caught and said person's personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging.
- Possession
- 7.0 It shall be unlawful for any person, who has been issued a commercial food fishing license and fishes for summer flounder with any food fishing equipment other than a gill net, to have in possession more than 4 summer flounder at or between the place where said summer flounder were caught and said person's personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging.
- Season
- January 1 through May 31 (size-limit period)
- 6.0 It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land more than 200 pounds of summer flounder in any 1 day in this State.
- 5.0 It shall be unlawful for any commercial finfisherman to sell, trade and or barter or attempt to sell, trade and or barter any summer flounder or part thereof that is landed in this State by said commercial fisherman after a date when the de minimis amount of commercial landings of summer flounder is determined to have been landed in this State by the Department. The de minimis amount of summer flounder shall be 0.1% of the coast wide commercial quota as set forth in the Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
- Applies to commercial food fishing licensees fishing with equipment other than a gill net; two size-limit periods, this record covers the dates in 'seasons'.
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 2.0 It shall be unlawful for any person, other than qualified persons as set forth in section 4.0 of this regulation, to possess any summer flounder that measure less than 16 inches between the tip of the snout and the furthest tip of the tail from January 1 through May 31 and less than 17 1/2 inches from June 1 through December 31.
- Bag limit
- 7.0 It shall be unlawful for any person, who has been issued a commercial food fishing license and fishes for summer flounder with any food fishing equipment other than a gill net, to have in possession more than 4 summer flounder at or between the place where said summer flounder were caught and said person's personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging.
- Possession
- 7.0 It shall be unlawful for any person, who has been issued a commercial food fishing license and fishes for summer flounder with any food fishing equipment other than a gill net, to have in possession more than 4 summer flounder at or between the place where said summer flounder were caught and said person's personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging.
- Season
- June 1 through December 31 (size-limit period)
- 6.0 It shall be unlawful for any vessel to land more than 200 pounds of summer flounder in any 1 day in this State.
- 5.0 It shall be unlawful for any commercial finfisherman to sell, trade and or barter or attempt to sell, trade and or barter any summer flounder or part thereof that is landed in this State by said commercial fisherman after a date when the de minimis amount of commercial landings of summer flounder is determined to have been landed in this State by the Department. The de minimis amount of summer flounder shall be 0.1% of the coast wide commercial quota as set forth in the Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
- Applies to commercial food fishing licensees fishing with equipment other than a gill net; two size-limit periods, this record covers the dates in 'seasons'.
Quick answers
What is the summer flounder size limit in Delaware?
2.0 It shall be unlawful for any person, other than qualified persons as set forth in section 4.0 of this regulation, to possess any summer flounder that measure less than 16 inches between the tip of the snout and the furthest tip of the tail from January 1 through May 31 and less than 17 1/2 inches from June 1 through December 31. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many summer flounder can I keep in Delaware?
1.0 It shall be unlawful for any recreational fisherman to have in possession more than 4 summer flounder at or between the place where said summer flounder were caught and said recreational fisherman's personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is summer flounder season in Delaware?
January 1 through May 31 (size-limit period). Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Summer flounder limits in other states →
More groundfish & flatfish in Delaware
All Delaware saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Delaware DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a Delaware saltwater license or registry: get one here.