The exposure of adult winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, to contaminated estuarine environments and a possible impact of this exposure on their progeny was investigated. Polluted study areas included Gaspee Point in upper Narragansett Bay, RI, New Bedford Harbor in Buzzards Bay, MA, noted for its PCB contamination, and Apponagansett Bay, MA, a less contaminated site near New Bedford. Fox Island, a relatively clean area in lower Narragansett Bay, served as a reference area. Although adult winter flounder disperse offshore during the summer, a tag and recapture study verified their yearly residence and exposure to contaminants.