Species guide · Massachusetts
Winter flounder fishing in Massachusetts
Pseudopleuronectes americanus, a bottom species also called blackback, lemon sole and flounder. Listed for the New England region. Off season, about 10 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Boston Harbor at 35, one of 8 Massachusetts bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Off seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
New England
Off season, about 10 more weeks- Jan: Not present
- Feb: Not present
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Off season
- Aug: Off season
- Sep: Off season
- Oct: Off season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Not present
Peak: May. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Jun.
Research notes, New England region
Spawning comes later in the north, so spring fishing peaks April-May in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine harbors, and Gulf of Maine fish stay in cool bays into summer. Georges Bank fish do not move inshore. Rhode Island and Connecticut fish belong to the depleted southern stock.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 8
Massachusetts bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's winter flounder score this hour.
Best window today 1-11 PM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 122 named spots
Best window today 1 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 151 named spots
Best window today 1-11 PM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 44 named spots
Best window today 1-10 PM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 2 named spots
Best window today 1-11 PM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 409 named spots
Best window today 1 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 158 named spots
Best window today 1 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 27 named spots
Best window today 1 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 40 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 38°F to 68°F, best between 45°F and 58°F.
- Water depth
- 3 to 50 ft of water.
- Structure
- Channel, bay, flat, estuary and inlet, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with light current.Anglers anchor and chum on channel edges and mud flats; a light current spreads the chum slick without dragging baits off bottom. Early in the season, water warmed over shallow flats on sunny afternoons often fishes best.
- Light
- Little tied to dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 15 kt of wind and 2 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Winter flounder spend late winter and spring on mud and sand bottom in harbors, coves and tidal channels, often in 5 to 30 feet. Anchor, chum with crushed clams or mussels, and fish small long-shank hooks with worm or clam on the bottom, tapping the rig to stir up mud. The bite is light, so use a sensitive rod.
- Methods
- bottom fishing, chumming, anchoring
- Lures
- small spinner blades or beads above the hook
- Bait
- sandworms, bloodworms, clam strips, mussels
Regulations
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with MassDMF Sep 17, 2026.
No reviewed winter flounder rule for Massachusetts is on file yet. Check with MassDMF before you keep one.