New Jersey Flounder Season: The Full Information for 2026

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There are some issues hiding underwater that you simply don’t need to see up shut. Flounder might be one in every of them. Mendacity flat on the seabed, with each eyes rotated round to always peer up in the direction of the sunshine, they aren’t a fairly sight. However come New Jersey Flounder fishing season, everybody needs one.

These Flatfish could not appear like a lot, however they’re well-known for his or her superb style. Mushy, flaky, and delicate. It’s no marvel that anglers come to New Jersey from close to and much to seize their bag restrict. 

Winter or Summer time – Flounders for Each Season

There are two sorts of Flounder in New Jersey. The one everybody’s speaking about is the bigger, extra plentiful Summer time Flounder – often known as Fluke. There are extra restrictions round when you may catch them, however they’re well worth the wait. They’re typically acknowledged as probably the most scrumptious Flounder species of all. 

Don’t neglect the Winter Flounder, although. These “Blackbacks” have an extended season and actually kick off native fishing within the spring. Whichever you goal, you’re in for a culinary – and angling – deal with.

New Jersey Flounder Fishing Rules

You’ll be able to catch Fluke within the Summer time, from Could by September, and Winter Flounder virtually all 12 months spherical (besides the center of winter, confusingly!)

Whereas the season is constant statewide, Summer time Flounder (Fluke) have completely different rules relying on the place you catch them. Delaware Bay and the waters main into it have particular rules, as does Island Seashore State Park. 

In the event you’re fishing in and round Delaware Bay, you may maintain as much as three fish which are 17 inches or over in open season. This rule applies to all waters main into Delaware Bay as much as the COLGREGS line that separates the Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The one exception is the Cape Could Canal east of the Cape Could Ferry Terminal, the place the standard minimal dimension applies. 

In the event you’re fishing Island Seashore State Park, or from a pier, jetty, seashore, financial institution or marsh anyplace within the state, then you definately’re in a position to maintain smaller fish, from simply 16 inches. However there’s a catch. You’re solely in a position to take residence two per day, as an alternative of three.

This chart applies to the 2025 New Jersey Flounder season. It’s anticipated that, as soon as revealed, the 2026 season shall be no less than as beneficiant, if no more so.

Month-to-month NJ Flounder Fishing Breakdown

The very first thing you must learn about New Jersey Flounder fishing is that these fish are migratory. They transfer to completely different areas based on the time of 12 months, as they mature, get older, after which lay their eggs to begin the cycle again up once more. 

Summer time Flounder have rather more noticeable migratory patterns than Winter Flounder. You’re most definitely to search out them when the climate warms up as they spend their winters method out over the continental shelf.

Let’s take a better take a look at when – and the place – you may catch every of those Flounder species in New Jersey.

January – February

Each Summer time and Winter Flounder seasons are closed presently of 12 months, which means when you catch them you must launch them again into the water. However we gained’t complain. Within the depths of winter, Fluke are hiding offshore and Winter Flounder are few and much between in again bays and channels. Actually, they’re no one’s high goal proper now.

March – April

New Jersey Winter Flounder season normally opens originally of March. From then on, the fishing solely will get higher. Winter Flounder love heat, sunny spring days within the again bays. That’s the fantastic thing about this time of 12 months: you don’t have to be an early riser to get your bag restrict. 

Blackback fishing heats up in mid-April and stays wonderful by the top of Could. Barnegat Bay is a primary spot, particularly across the spill-out space of Oyster Creek. 

By the top of April, you will have seen the Flatfish within the again bays wanting somewhat completely different. That’s as a result of Fluke begin to make an look presently of 12 months. Simply remember to catch and launch them till the season opens. 

Could

New Jersey Fluke season normally opens in early Could. This comes proper on time, as by now the migration inshore has began for actual. A lot of the fish shall be in shallow flats and backwaters, the place they feed up in the course of the warmest a part of the day. Surf fishing and drifting the backwaters are fashionable methods presently of 12 months, when Fluke are lounging within the shallow waters.

The intensive shallow flats in South New Jersey are prime for Fluke fishing in Could. However there are additionally loads of alternatives within the north of the state. The seashores in Sandy Hook, and Barnegat Bay, Shrewsbury River and Manasquan River are all Fluke hotspots.

June

Because the waters get hotter, Fluke begin to collect in deeper inshore waters. There are nonetheless lots within the bays, however it’s time to begin on the lookout for them in channels, holes, and round ledges. 

You’ll typically discover anglers focusing on Fluke from the shore in Island Seashore State Park presently of 12 months, whereas others deal with drift fishing higher Barnegat Bay or the channel in Grassy Sound. 

July

July is a transitory time for Summer time Flounder. Some are nonetheless in deeper bay waters, however you additionally begin to discover them nearshore. That is the place they’ll spend the subsequent few months fattening up round deeper construction earlier than shifting additional offshore. 

Many anglers fish for them round inlets, the place the fishing will be all or nothing. Complete colleges transfer from the bays into open waters, resulting in an action-packed day or feeling such as you’ve simply missed the boat. 

That is the start of “Doormat” season, the place the really massive fish begin to seem. Barnegat Mild Reef, Axel Carlson Reef, Sea Girt Reef and Rattlesnake Rocks are just some favorites. In fact, there’s the added bonus that these areas maintain loads of different fish, too. Tautog and Seabass, for instance. Oh, and Delaware Bay, with its enormous open waters, is as constant as ever.

August

By August, most Summer time Flounder have left the shallower inshore waters in favor of the nearshore construction we simply talked about. Most fish shall be no less than a few miles from shore by now, the place they’re bedding down for the summer season. That stated, you’re nonetheless prone to discover some within the deep waters of Raritan Bay and Delaware Bay. 

The Barnegat Mild Reef and the Manasquan Ridge off the Manasquan Inlet are prime areas for Doormats. So long as you fish above underwater hiding spots, you’re in with an opportunity. 

September

Because the water begins to chill, the final of the Summer time Flounder transfer out of the bays into deeper offshore waters. Whilst the times shorten, the motion stays scorching over reefs and construction. 

That is prime time to take advantage of NJ Fluke season and catch a Doormat when you nonetheless can. Quickly, the season will shut and the fish will begin their 90-mile journey out into their winter residence over the Continental Shelf. 

October – December

Like many species, Summer time Flounder spawn within the fall. However they achieve this as they journey far offshore into deep sea waters. They’re not a goal presently of 12 months – and even when they had been, you wouldn’t be capable to maintain them. NJ Summer time Flounder fishing season is closed, each based on the state rulebook and the conduct of the fish themselves.

In the event you’re actually hankering for a Flatfish, although, don’t neglect about Winter Flounder. Flukes’ smaller cousins are nonetheless obtainable presently of 12 months, though they aren’t as plentiful as they’re within the spring. Search for them in deeper, protected waters in again bays originally of fall earlier than they, too, tail off in December. 

Flounder Fishing Suggestions By Season

To essentially grasp Flounder fishing in New Jersey, you must match the best way you fish to the time of 12 months. However, there are a number of easy guidelines to Flatfish fishing round right here that apply regardless of the season:

Drift, child, drift. In the event you’re fishing from a ship, you’re going to be wanting to maneuver… slowly. Drift at 1.5 knots or slower to imitate Flounder’s prey. 

The bucktail doesn’t cease right here. A bucktail teaser is the primary rig to make use of for Flounder fishing in New Jersey.

One thing smells fishy. Fluke and Winter Flounder each hunt by scent. So even when you’re fishing with plastics, tipping with squid or utilizing scented Gulp! lures can enhance hookups. 

Be affected person. Flounder typically “mouth” their bait, so wait a second when you’ve felt a chew. Then, carry firmly quite than with a sudden snap.

Now, we’ll get onto the specifics of seasonal Flounder fishing.

Early Season 

In Could, you’ll be on the lookout for Flounder within the bays. Whereas they hunt for baitfish in heat, protected waters, they are often fooled with small baits and mild deal with. This system is efficient and among the greatest enjoyable you may have whereas Flounder fishing. 

Mid-Season

Late spring and early summer season see a change in the kind of baitfish Flounder are prone to eat. Right now of 12 months, the backwaters are flush with Atlantic Spearing – significantly round deeper areas like channels, holes, and dropoffs. Use bigger baits round these deeper waters, across the 4–5 inch mark.

Right now of 12 months, the fishing is normally greatest in the course of the slack interval by the start of the ebb present. Chartreuse or different bright-colored lures carry out nicely within the clear, hotter water you get presently of day. 

Late Season

As Fluke begin to migrate out of the bays in the direction of deeper construction, their food regimen modifications once more. At this level, they’re on the hunt for Peanut Bunker round inlets. As soon as they decide on the reefs, they’re looking out for even bigger prey, like juvenile Sea Bass and Crabs. That is peak Flounder season, and massive baits and lures will provide you with the perfect likelihood of catching a Doormat. 

New Jersey Flounder Season FAQs

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It’s No Fluke That We Love New Jersey Flounder Season

As corny as it could appear, it feels just like the fishing rules smile on us when focusing on Flounder in New Jersey. Right here, open season displays when the fish are most accessible, and we will goal the largest fish obtainable. And whether or not it’s Winter or Summer time Flounder we’re after, there’s one factor we will be positive of. We’re in for as a lot of a deal with when the fishing’s carried out as we’re whereas we’re reeling them in. 

Do you like NJ Flounder season? What’s the largest one you’ve ever caught? Or are you but to strive Fluke fishing for the primary time? Tell us within the feedback beneath!

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