Waterlands

Species guide · Virginia

Winter flounder fishing in Virginia

Pseudopleuronectes americanus, a bottom species also called blackback, lemon sole and flounder. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Where it's scoring nowAll Virginia waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Mid-Atlantic

  1. Jan: Not present
  2. Feb: Off season
  3. Mar: Peak season
  4. Apr: Peak season
  5. May: Shoulder season
  6. Jun: Off season
  7. Jul: Not present
  8. Aug: Not present
  9. Sep: Not present
  10. Oct: Off season
  11. Nov: Shoulder season
  12. 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 · 10

Virginia bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's winter flounder score this hour.

1
No score
Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 1 AM (35) · 135 named spots

2
No score
Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek VA

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 1 AM (35) · 45 named spots

3
No score
Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Windmill Point VA

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35) · 99 named spots

4
No score
Chesapeake Bay from Windmill Point to New Point Comfort VA

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35) · 33 named spots

5
No score
Coastal waters from Chincoteague to Parramore Island VA out 20 NM

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 1 AM (35) · 89 named spots

6
No score
James River from Jamestown to the James River Bridge

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35) · 24 named spots

7
No score
James River from JRB to HRBT, Including the Elizabeth River

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35) · 32 named spots

8
No score
Rappahannock River from Urbanna to Windmill Point

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35) · 25 named spots

9
No score
Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 2 AM (35) · 4 named spots

10
No score
York River

Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 12 AM (35) · 15 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

VMRC saltwater regulations Buy a Virginia fishing license License types

Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Synced with VMRC Sep 19, 2026.

No reviewed winter flounder rule for Virginia is on file yet. Check with VMRC before you keep one.

Other Virginia species