Southern flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma
Limits cover all flounder species, hybrids and subspecies. Harvest closed November 1–December 14, when daily bag and possession are zero. Otherwise daily bag is 5, possession is 5, and minimum length is 15 inches.
Texas recreational state waters · Regulation reference 2026-09-01–2027-08-31. General license, gear and area restrictions still apply.
TPWD rule source ↗
Identify your catch
A flat, bottom-oriented fish with both eyes on its pigmented left side; its upper-side mottling blends with the bottom.
Habitat & biology
Juveniles use bays and estuaries; adults move toward Gulf spawning grounds in fall. Adults rest and swim on their side. Eye position changes during early development.
Fishing knowledge
Bottom orientation helps explain why bottom habitat matters. Check the seasonal closure before retaining any flounder.
Species-level knowledge, not current fishing activity or a bay-specific catch forecast.
TPWD species reference ↗Not Listed in Advisory for this named bay in the reviewed DSHS index. Nearby water may have different restrictions; this is not a safety guarantee.
Exact areas & meal guidance →Source scope
Matagorda Bay
Recorded occurrence is historical evidence, not an abundance estimate or a promise of a common local catch.
Official species record evidence ↗Before you go
Sources & coastal evidence
Coastal reference review 2026-10-14. Record evidence: Matagorda Bay. Historical records establish recorded occurrence, not current abundance. Artwork is illustrative scenery, not a geographical survey or a conditions feed.