Larval flounder more closely resemble the larvae of other fishes than do adult flounder, with body symmetry and eyes on both sides of their heads. Upon reaching the estuaries, larval flounder undergo a metamorphosis to the post-larval stage. Once the metamorphosis is complete, the post-larval flounder assumes the bottom dwelling lifestyle characteristic of the adult fish. Juvenile summer flounder utilize eelgrass beds in Chesapeake Bay. Fisheries Summer flounder are of major recreational and commercial importance north of Cape Hatteras.
Anglers catch summer flounder from shore, piers, and boats with hook and line.
The recreational catch far exceeds the commercial catch in the bay and nearshore coastal waters, with lower bay and seaside inlets producing the bulk of the recreational landings. Commercial landings in Virgina have historically been an order of magnitude higher than those in Maryland. During 1981-1986, Virginia averaged 5.7 million lb per year and Maryland averaged 583,000 lb. The great bulk of the catch is produced by the winter trawl fishery that operates on midshelf waters. Within Chesapeake Bay, summer flounder are commercially caught by haul seines , pound nets , and gill nets , but the species does not form a significant commercial fishery.