Flatfish Habitat
- Winter flounder frequent inshore waters during the winter, and migrate to deeper waters during summer. They inhabit the waters of southern Labrador to South Carolina and Georgia. An abundant population of this flatfish ranges from the gulf of St. Lawrence -- near Quebec, Canada -- to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Other names for this fish include "blackback" and "lemon sole." Like most flatfish, both eyes of the winter flounder are located on one side of the head.
- California halibut have an oblong-shaped, compressed body with both eyes located on either side of the head. The top side with the eyes is dark brown to black in color; the blind side is white. The halibut prefer shallow and sandy habitats, and rangefrom from Magdalena Bay, Baja California, to Quillayute River, British Columbia. The fish inhabit the upper Gulf of California. Anglers might expect to catch species ranging from 11 to 17 inches in length. Fishing for California halibut in the central and northern parts of the state is most productive from summer through early fall.
- Also referred to as "summer flounder," fluke are noted by many anglers for their fighting ability and taste. The fish range from the southern Gulf of Maine to Florida, and prefer inshore areas during warmer periods. The fish congregate in wharf pilings, eelgrass beds and muddy and sandy bottoms of harbors. When fall approaches, fluke tend to migrate to offshore waters in depths of 150 to 500 feet.
- Pacific halibut have an elongated, slender and diamond-shaped body. This type of halibut ranges from Santa Rosa Island in California to the Bering Sea and the Sea of Japan. This deep-dwelling species prefers sandy habitats in depths of 20 to 3,600 feet. When pursuing Pacific halibut, use baits like crab, squid and shrimp; use fishing gear that handles 15 to 20 lbs of weight.
