Official NH Digest of Regulations - New Hampshire Fish and Game ...

Flounder Identification
Three features distinguish the four major flounder caught recreationally
along New Hampshire’s coast: orientation of the eyes (right- or lefteyed);
mouth size; and shape of the lateral line. Recreational
saltwater anglers in N.H. most commonly catch winter flounder,
followed by yellowtail, summer flounder and American plaice.
Arched
lateral line
Winter Flounder
(12" minimum length)
• Eyes on right side
• Small mouth
• Scales between eyes
Yellowtail Flounder
(13" minimum length)
• Eyes on right side
• Small mouth
American Plaice
(14" minimum length)
• Eyes on right side
• Large mouth
Summer Flounder
(15" minimum length)
• Eyes on left side
• Large mouth
• Sharp teeth
Catch & Release
• Time is of the essence. Play and release the fish as quickly
and carefully as possible. An overplayed fish may become too
weak to recover.
• When landing fish, use a net with fine mesh to avoid injury.
A net is probably not necessary for small fish. Keep the fish in
the water as much as possible. A fish out of water is suffocating
and could be injured.
• When releasing a fish, try not to touch it when removing the hook
and releasing it. When handling the fish, do not let it flop around
or squeeze it. The fish can be gently held around the middle and
upside down while removing the hook. This position calms the
fish and deters it from moving around.
• Remove the hook with small pliers or by using the thumb and
forefinger to loosen and back out the hook. If a hook cannot be
easily removed, cut the leader as close as possible to the hook.
The hook will rust or fall out in a short time.
• To revive a tired fish, hold it in a swimming position with one hand
under its bottom jaw and the other hand grasping the fish in front
of the tail. Gently move the fish back and forth through the water
until it is able to swim away.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department recommends that
anglers who plan to use live or cut bait when fishing for striped bass
or other fish use circle hooks to reduce mortality on fish that will
be released. Studies comparing baited circle hooks to the standard
J hooks used by most anglers show a substantial reduction in
the post-release hooking mortality when circle hooks are used.
For more information, contact Fish and Game Marine Fisheries
Division weekdays (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) at (603) 868-1095.
www.FishNH.com 9