Can I Keep?Summer Flounder (Fluke) Regulations in New Jersey (2026)
Recreational summer flounder (fluke) rules in New Jersey saltwater, as published by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Summer Flounder (Fluke) rules in New Jersey
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 18 inches
- Bag limit
- 3 fish at 18 inches
- Season
- May 4 – Sept 25
- Fish are measured from tip of snout to tip of tail (except Black Sea Bass and Sharks).
- Cleaning or filleting of fish with a minimum size limit while at sea is prohibited.
- Where
- Delaware Bay & Tributaries (bays & inshore)
- Size limit
- 17 inches
- Bag limit
- 3 fish at 17 inches
- Season
- May 4 – Sept 25
- Fish are measured from tip of snout to tip of tail (except Black Sea Bass and Sharks).
- Cleaning or filleting of fish with a minimum size limit while at sea is prohibited.
- Where
- Island Beach State Park
- Size limit
- 16 inches
- Bag limit
- 2 fish at 16 inches
- Season
- May 4 – Sept 25
- Fish are measured from tip of snout to tip of tail (except Black Sea Bass and Sharks).
- Cleaning or filleting of fish with a minimum size limit while at sea is prohibited.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum size: 14”
- Mesh: 5.5” diamond, 6” square
- Thresholds: 200 pounds in the winter (Nov 1-Apr 30) and 100 pounds in the summer (May 1-October 31)
- Regulation of mesh beyond the codend: 5.5” diamond or 6” square throughout the mesh
- Values from the ASMFC Summer Flounder FMP Review (2025 measures as reported in New Jersey's compliance report); NJDEP commercial rules (N.J.A.C. 7:25A) are not accessible to us, so confirm current-year trip limits with NJDEP.
- 2025 New Jersey commercial quota: 1,470,098 lbs (allocation of baseline quota 16.72%).
- Moratorium on entry into the commercial fishery; vessel and dealer permits and reporting required (ASMFC compliance criteria).
- New Jersey currently has provisions in place that mandate state permitted vessels can only transfer catch to a licensed dealer and are only able to transfer the daily trip limit; a vessel that lands above the trip limit is subject to an over the limit infraction.
Quick answers
What is the summer flounder (fluke) size limit in New Jersey?
18 inches (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many summer flounder (fluke) can I keep in New Jersey?
3 fish at 18 inches (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is summer flounder (fluke) season in New Jersey?
May 4 – Sept 25. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Summer Flounder (Fluke) limits in other states →
More groundfish & flatfish in New Jersey
All New Jersey saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife. Most anglers need a New Jersey saltwater license or registry: get one here.