Starry Flounder

Oceans & Range: North Pacific Ocean — from Southern California north through Alaska and across the Bering Sea to Japan and Korea. Most common from Central California north to Alaska in bays, estuaries, and nearshore coastal areas. Very common in San Francisco Bay — one of the top target species for Bay Area anglers.

Preferred Water Temperature: 46°F–60°F. A cold-water flatfish found on sandy and muddy bottom in bays, estuaries, and coastal waters in 0–900 feet. Extremely common in shallow bay systems along the California and Pacific Northwest coast.

Size & Weight: Typically 1–5 lbs and 12–22 inches. Maximum approximately 20 lbs. World record: 19 lbs 12 oz. Distinguished by alternating orange, black, and white stripes on the dorsal and anal fins — very distinctive. Can be right or left-eyed. Excellent eating — light, delicate white meat.

Best Lures: Small jigs bounced along sandy bottom produce strikes. Small swimbaits dragged slowly work well. Small metal jigs near the bottom catch fish.

Best Baits: Fresh shrimp (ghost shrimp, grass shrimp) are the top Bay Area bait. Pile worms produce excellent results. Fresh squid is very effective. Small fish strips work well. Soft-shell crabs produce large fish. Sliding sinker rigs on sandy bottom in bays are the standard approach.

North Pacific Ocean — from Southern California north through Alaska and across the Bering Sea to Japan and Korea. Most common from Central California north to Alaska in bays, estuaries, and nearshore coastal areas. Very common in San Francisco Bay — one of the top target species for Bay Area anglers.

46°F–60°F. A cold-water flatfish found on sandy and muddy bottom in bays, estuaries, and coastal waters in 0–900 feet. Extremely common in shallow bay systems along the California and Pacific Northwest coast.

Best Lures: Small jigs bounced along sandy bottom produce strikes. Small swimbaits dragged slowly work well. Small metal jigs near the bottom catch fish. Best Baits: Fresh shrimp (ghost shrimp, grass shrimp) are the top Bay Area bait. Pile worms produce excellent results. Fresh squid is very effective. Small fish strips work well. Soft-shell crabs produce large fish. Sliding sinker rigs on sandy bottom in bays are the standard approach.

1 fishing location where you can catch Starry Flounder

Typically 1–5 lbs and 12–22 inches. Maximum approximately 20 lbs. World record: 19 lbs 12 oz. Distinguished by alternating orange, black, and white stripes on the dorsal and anal fins — very distinctive. Can be right or left-eyed. Excellent eating — light, delicate white meat.

1 official record on file for Starry Flounder