Southern Flounder (also known as Flounder, Doormat, Mud Flounder) in Florida. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the FWC guide, 2026.
In Florida, the minimum legal size for Southern Flounder is 14 in and the daily bag limit is 5 per person. Season note: Closed annually 15 October – 30 November; open the rest of the year.
Closed annually 15 October – 30 November; open the rest of the year.
Same regulation on both coasts. Florida manages southern flounder under a combined flounder rule (Gulf/Southern/summer/fringed share the 14" min, 5/person bag, and the Oct 15-Nov 30 closure). Closure dates are fixed in rule (not announced annually), so not flagged volatile. STATE and federal waters off Florida (Gulf and Atlantic). Florida's flounder rule covers Gulf flounder, Southern flounder, summer flounder and fringed flounder together under one regulation. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.
These limits are pulled from the FWC recreational saltwater size and bag limits. Last verified June 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
Florida requires a recreational saltwater fishing licence to take saltwater species (residents can get a no-cost Resident Saltwater Shoreline licence for shore fishing). A snook or tarpon permit is needed for those species. Florida saltwater licences.
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