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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Summer Flounder in Massachusetts, Cape Cod & Islands may fishing.

Paralichthys dentatusMigratoryGood

Spring inshore migration — fish on sand.

Year-round calendar

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

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Absent Offshore wintering. Typical water temp: 38–44°FFeb — Absent Same. Typical water temp: 40–46°FMar — Absent Migrating inshore but not yet present. Typical water temp: 46–52°FApr — Fair First fluke arriving in southern parts of region. Typical water temp: 52–58°FFairMay — Good Spring inshore migration — fish on sand. Typical water temp: 58–64°FGoodJun — Peak Peak summer fluke fishing — bay channels and beach drops. Typical water temp: 64–72°FPeakJul — Peak Same — doormats holding tight to structure breaks. Typical water temp: 70–78°FPeakAug — Good Summer pattern continuing. Typical water temp: 72–80°FGoodSep — Good Fish beginning offshore migration. Typical water temp: 66–72°FGoodOct — Fair Last of the fluke moving offshore. Typical water temp: 58–64°FFairNov — Absent Fish have moved offshore for winter. Typical water temp: 50–56°FDec — Absent Offshore. Typical water temp: 44–50°F

Migration pattern

Spring inshore migration from offshore winter grounds April–May; peak inshore June–August on sand and mud bottoms; fall offshore migration September–October.

Best locations

  • Cape Cod Canal
  • Race Point
  • Monomoy
  • Vineyard Sound rips

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
Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year to year. Cross-reference NOAA marine forecasts and a local source the week of your trip.

Summer Flounder in other regions

Get a notification when summer flounder show up.

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 Massachusetts, Cape Cod & Islands.

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