Reproduction

The winter flounder will reach reproductive maturity around the age of three years old.  This is the only time the flounder will venture outside of its normal habitat, and it will migrate to a nearby estuary between the months of January and May.  Like most fish, fertilization occurs externally.  The female will release her eggs, and the male will then release his sperm (generated by the gonad seen in the picture) all eggs that are fertilized will then clump together and sink to the bottom where they will hopefully land on a clean patch of sand.  This is contrary to most fish because most fish eggs will float towards the surface and adhere to any surface they come into contact with (boats, docks, plants, other organisms...ect.).