Species guide · New Jersey
Winter flounder fishing in New Jersey
Pseudopleuronectes americanus, a bottom species also called blackback, lemon sole and flounder. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region.
Season by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Mid-Atlantic
- Jan: Not present
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Peak season
- Apr: Peak season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Off season
- Jul: Not present
- Aug: Not present
- Sep: Not present
- Oct: Off season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Mar to Apr. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to May, Nov.
Research notes, Mid-Atlantic region
Adults move into bays and harbors in autumn and spawn there in winter, so the fishery is March and April in New Jersey and New York back bays and harbors as water warms, with a smaller late fall bite. Fish move to deeper or offshore water as bays warm in late spring. The Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic stock is depleted and states allow small bags and limited seasons.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 4
New Jersey bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's winter flounder score this hour.
Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35) · 72 named spots
Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35) · 100 named spots
Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35) · 38 named spots
Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 1 AM (35) · 147 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
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with NJFW Sep 18, 2026.
No reviewed winter flounder rule for New Jersey is on file yet. Check with NJFW before you keep one.