OCEAN CITY -- The summer flounder season opened last weekend with new, relaxed regulations on keeper sizes and season lengths, although the restrictions on tautog have been enhanced.

“Because Maryland anglers have remained under the summer flounder target harvest levels for the past two years, we are able to lower the minimum size limit and extend the season lightly to provide anglers more opportunity,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “As with other states along the coast, Maryland’s tautog regulations are more restrictive this year.”

The minimum keeper size for flounder this year will be 17 inches with three per angler per day and the season will run from April 14 to Dec. 16.

The tautog season will run from April 2 to Nov. 14 with a minimum keeper size of 16 inches and varying creel limits throughout the season.