Pacific Dover Sole
Microstomus pacificus
FR Sole du Pacifique · ES Lenguado del Pacífico · PT Linguado-do-Pacífico
Also known as: Dover SoleSlippery SolePlatija ResbalosaLimande-SoleLenguado del PacíficoSole du PacifiqueLinguado-do-Pacífico
BenthicBoat
Flatfish
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; slower tide stages
Depth
60–350m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Feb–MayGood Jan–Dec
Depth range
60–350mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering60%
Preferred seabed
SandMud
Findr bio
Deep-mud hoover – I shuffle slowly along soft slopes, vacuuming small baits that hang just above the bottom haze.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Deep waterEstuarySandy beach
Recommended baits
WormsPrawnsFish baits
Diet
Polychaete wormsBivalvesBrittlestarsShrimpSmall fish
Effective techniques
Bottom Fishing
Gear
Best times
DawnNight
Pacific Dover sole can live for more than 40 years on deep, cold slopes, quietly feeding along muddy bottoms that most anglers only ever see on the sounder.
Field notes
Where to find them
Pacific deeper mud and soft-bottom slopes
Where they hang out
Deeper mud slopes, 30–100 m
Prime time
Year-round; slower tide stages
Tide game
Moderate
What they're into
Small fish/squid strips on simple bottom rigs
Temperature vibe
Cold-water species, prefers 4–10°C
Fave weather
Calm seas aid precise bottom contact
Fun fact about me
Long-lived flatfish with a cult following among deep-drop diners.
Dinner material?
6/10Edible, nothing special
Play by the rules
Check regional groundfish rulesState/federal fisheries agency (e.g. NOAA West Coast)
Looking after them
Least Concern