Top Windowpane Flounder Fishing Countries

The windowpane flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus) is a flatfish species native to the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to Florida, USA. Known for its thin, nearly translucent body, this demersal fish inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms in coastal and estuarine waters. The majority of windowpane flounder landings come from the United States, particularly from the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions, where it is caught as both a target and bycatch species in trawl fisheries. Canada also harvests windowpane flounder, though in smaller quantities compared to the U.S. While not as commercially valuable as other flatfish like summer flounder or yellowtail flounder, windowpane flounder supports local fisheries and is managed under strict regulations to ensure sustainability, with the U.S. being the top producer globally.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.