Summer Flounder
Summer flounder, also called fluke, are flatfish with both eyes on the left side of their head, allowing them to lie camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms.
Summer flounder are excellent ambush predators that bury themselves in sand, facing into current to wait for prey.
Also known as fluke
Flatfish with both eyes on the left side of their head
Fishing in Massachusetts
Wachusett Reservoir
Lake Cochituate
Massachusetts Bay
Sudbury River
Concord River
Broad Sound
Lake Quinsigamond
Assabet River
Dorchester Bay
Merrimack River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
In Massachusetts waters, they range from Nova Scotia to Florida but are most abundant in the Mid-Atlantic region from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras. In Massachusetts estuaries, they frequent salt marshes, seagrass beds, dock pilings, and areas where sand meets structure.Key Locations
South Shore locations like Scituate Harbor, Little Harbor in Cohasset, Nantasket Beach in Hull, areas around Peggotty Beach, North and South Rivers confluence, Green Harbor, Duxbury near the Gurnet, and Plymouth Harbor.Specific Spots
Look for sandy bottoms with nearby structure, drop-offs from shallow to deep water, dock pilings, jetties, and areas where current concentrates baitfish. Adults spend most of their lives on or near the bottom, preferring sandy substrates or mud where they can quickly bury to the eyes.Summer Flounder FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Summer Flounder in Massachusetts?
Top baits include sandworms (most productive), strips of fresh squid, frozen minnows, live shrimp, and clam strips. For lures, white bucktail jigs from 1/4 to 4 ounces work well when tipped with squid strips or soft plastics. Berkley Gulp baits in shrimp and swimming mullet patterns are highly effective.
When is the best time to fish for Summer Flounder in Massachusetts?
Most productive from late spring through fall, with the official season running May 24-September 23. They move inshore to shallow coastal and estuarine waters during warmer months (April-November) and offshore to deeper waters during winter.
How do you catch Summer Flounder in Massachusetts?
Present baits on or very close to bottom, using the lightest weight possible while maintaining contact. Retrieve slowly with short strips, allowing the offering to kick up sand puffs. Chumming with broken clams, mussels, or rabbit food pellets can attract fish to your area.
What do Summer Flounder eat?
They feed primarily on small baitfish including sand lance, menhaden, Atlantic silversides, and mummichogs, plus invertebrates like shrimp, crabs, and squid.
Where do Summer Flounder live in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts waters, they range from Nova Scotia to Florida but are most abundant in the Mid-Atlantic region from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras. In Massachusetts estuaries, they frequent salt marshes, seagrass beds, dock pilings, and areas where sand meets structure.
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