Species profile
Southern Flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma
At a glance
Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) is an IUCN Near Threatened bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 6 (Virginia); the most generous is 8 (Federal Waters (DFO)).
Confirmed by 768 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Texas, North Carolina, and Florida the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Female southern flounder grow far larger than males, sometimes exceeding 3 feet and 20 pounds.
- They tolerate a wide range of salinities, thriving from nearly freshwater rivers to full marine conditions.
- Southern flounder spawn offshore in the Gulf each fall, with larvae drifting into estuaries by spring.
- They lie partially buried in mud with only their eyes visible, waiting to ambush passing prey.
- Their mild, white flesh is widely regarded as some of the finest eating among Gulf flatfish.
Where Southern Flounder are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Southern Flounder
Background
The southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) is a species of large-tooth flounders native to the eastern and gulf coasts of the United States. It is a popular sports fish and is the largest and most commercially valuable flounder in the western North Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Its range is North Carolina to the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a "left-eyed flounder", meaning the left side is…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Southern Flounder article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.