Bield: fish

Single-species migration calendar

Summer Flounder in Chesapeake Bay (Lower) june fishing.

  • Paralichthys dentatus
  • Migratory
  • Peak

Peak summer fluke — channels, drops, and back bays.

Verify with the agency before fishing

Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with Virginia Marine Resources Commission before each trip.

Year-round calendar

Summer Flounder · 12-month view.

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Hover a cell for the month-specific note and typical water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Absent Offshore wintering. Typical water temp: 42–48°FFeb — Absent Same. Typical water temp: 44–50°FMar — Possible Earliest fish in southern part of region. Typical water temp: 48–54°FPossibleApr — Fair Spring fluke arriving in bays and inlets. Typical water temp: 54–60°FFairMay — Good Spring inshore — fluke on sand bottoms. Typical water temp: 58–66°FGoodJun — Peak Peak summer fluke — channels, drops, and back bays. Typical water temp: 66–74°FPeakJul — Peak Same — best time for doormat-class fish. Typical water temp: 72–80°FPeakAug — Good Summer fluke fishing solid. Typical water temp: 74–80°FGoodSep — Good Fall offshore migration begins. Typical water temp: 68–74°FGoodOct — Fair Last of the season inshore. Typical water temp: 60–66°FFairNov — Absent Fish have moved offshore. Typical water temp: 52–58°FDec — Absent Offshore. Typical water temp: 46–52°F

Migration pattern

Same offshore-winter / inshore-summer pattern, with NJ/DE/MD/VA holding the largest resident populations through warm months. Doormat-class fish hold tight to structure breaks in 30–60 feet.

Best locations

  • Bay Bridge Tunnel structure
  • Mouth of the Potomac
  • Fisherman's Island
  • Buoys 36/42

Top lures

  • Bucktail tipped with squid or Gulp!
  • Spro Bucktail Jig + curly tail
  • Live killifish (mummichog)
  • Squid strip on hi-lo rig
  • 3-way rig with strip bait

Summer Flounder in other regions

Massachusetts, Cape Cod & Islands →Rhode Island & Connecticut Sound →Long Island Sound & New York Bight →New Jersey Coast →Delaware Bay →Chesapeake Bay (Upper) →All summer flounder regions →

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Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water-temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in Chesapeake Bay (Lower).

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