Can I Keep?Summer flounder Regulations in Virginia (2026)
Recreational summer flounder rules in Virginia saltwater, as published by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. 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
A. The recreational fishing season for any tidal waters of Virginia…
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Summer flounder rules in Virginia
- Where
- Virginia tidal waters except Potomac River tributaries (January 1 through May 31) (all waters)
- Size limit
- 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.
- Bag limit
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing in any tidal waters of Virginia, except the Potomac River tributaries, with recreational hook and line, rod and reel, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more than four summer flounder.
- Season
- A. The recreational fishing season for any tidal waters of Virginia, except the Potomac River tributaries, shall be open year-round.
- When fishing is from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by four.
- Where
- Virginia tidal waters except Potomac River tributaries (June 1 through December 31) (all waters)
- Size limit
- 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.
- Bag limit
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing in any tidal waters of Virginia, except the Potomac River tributaries, with recreational hook and line, rod and reel, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more than four summer flounder.
- Season
- A. The recreational fishing season for any tidal waters of Virginia, except the Potomac River tributaries, shall be open year-round.
- When fishing is from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by four.
- Where
- Potomac River tributaries (bays & inshore)
- Size limit
- 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.
- Bag limit
- B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing in the Potomac River tributaries with recreational hook and line, rod and reel, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more summer flounder than the possession limit established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.
- Season
- B. The recreational fishing season for the Potomac River tributaries shall be the same as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River.
Commercial rules
Show 2 commercial rules
- Where
- Virginia tidal waters (all waters)
- Size limit
- A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.
- Bag limit
- B. The commercial harvest of summer flounder from Virginia tidal waters for each calendar year shall be limited to 100,000 pounds of the annual quota described in subsection A of this section.
- A. It shall be unlawful for any boat or vessel to land summer flounder in Virginia, for commercial purposes, without first obtaining a Seafood Landing License as described in 4VAC20-920-30 and a Summer Flounder Endorsement License or possessing a Restricted Summer Flounder Endorsement License.
- C. Any boat or vessel that is both owned and operated by a person who holds a valid Virginia Commercial Fisherman Registration License and is used solely for fishing for summer flounder only in Virginia waters shall be exempt from the requirement to obtain a Summer Flounder Endorsement License.
- C. It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest or to land summer flounder for commercial purposes after the commercial harvest limit or any allowable commercial landings as described in this section have been attained and announced as such.
- Where
- Offshore (EEZ) directed fishery - harvested outside Virginia waters and landed in Virginia (ocean)
- Size limit
- A. The minimum size for summer flounder harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 14 inches in total length.
- Bag limit
- C. It shall be unlawful for any person to land summer flounder in Virginia that was harvested outside of Virginia waters, except as in accordance with the established seasons and landing limits announced by the Marine Resources Commission (commission). Season opening dates, closing dates, and landing limits shall be set based on market conditions and quota monitoring and announced on the commission website. Within each season announced by the commission, it shall be unlawful to do any of the following: 1. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia waters any amount of summer flounder in excess of the combined total of the Virginia landing limit described in subdivision 2 of this subsection and the amount of the legal North Carolina or New Jersey landing limit or trip limit. 2. Land any summer flounder more than the landing limit announced by the commission. 3. Land in Virginia any amount of summer flounder more than once in any consecutive five-day period. D. From January 1 through December 31, any boat or vessel issued a valid federal summer flounder moratorium permit and owned and operated by a legal Virginia Commercial Hook-and-Line Licensee that possesses a Restricted Summer Flounder Endorsement shall be restricted to a possession and landing limit of 200 pounds of summer flounder, except as described in 4VAC20-620-30
- Season
- Season opening dates, closing dates, and landing limits shall be set based on market conditions and quota monitoring and announced on the commission website.
- A. It shall be unlawful for any boat or vessel to land summer flounder in Virginia, for commercial purposes, without first obtaining a Seafood Landing License as described in 4VAC20-920-30 and a Summer Flounder Endorsement License or possessing a Restricted Summer Flounder Endorsement License.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to offload from a boat or vessel for commercial purposes any summer flounder during the period of 9 p.m.
- K. It shall be unlawful to transfer or offload summer flounder from one vessel to another vessel at sea.
Quick answers
What is the summer flounder size limit in Virginia?
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. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many summer flounder can I keep in Virginia?
A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing in any tidal waters of Virginia, except the Potomac River tributaries, with recreational hook and line, rod and reel, spear, gig or other recreational gear to possess more than four summer flounder. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is summer flounder season in Virginia?
A. The recreational fishing season for any tidal waters of Virginia, except the Potomac River tributaries, shall be open year-round.. 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 Virginia
All Virginia saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Most anglers need a Virginia saltwater license or registry: get one here.