Open Year-Round

Flounder

Families Pleuronectidae, Bothidae and Paralichthyidae

Also known as: Flatty, sole

DPIRD Category Nearshore / Estuarine
Peak Season October - April
Difficulty Intermediate
Fight Rating ★☆☆☆☆
Flounder

Regulations & Limits

NEARSHORE / ESTUARINE

Limits by Bioregion

West Coast N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
South Coast N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Gascoyne N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Pilbara N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
North Coast (Kimberley) N/A
Species not commonly found in this region

ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au

Size & Weight

Typical Size25-35 cm
Max Size60 cm
Typical Weight0.3-0.8 kg
Max Weight3 kg

Habitat

Where: Sandy and muddy bottoms in estuaries, bays and shallow coastal waters

Depth: 1-20m

ID Features: Flat, oval body with both eyes on one side, camouflage colouring matching the seabed

Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak Available Poor

Peak: October - April | Water Temp: 18-26°C

How to Catch Flounder

1

Bait fishing

Setup

  • Line: PE 0.6-1
  • Leader: 10-20lb fluorocarbon

Best Baits

  • Prawns
  • Worms
  • Small fish strips
2

Soft plastics

Setup

  • Line: PE 0.6-1
  • Leader: 10-20lb fluorocarbon

Top Lures

  • Small soft plastics
  • Gulp worms

Eating Quality

★★★★★ Excellent

Flesh: Delicate white flesh with fine texture

Best cooked: Pan-fried whole, crumbed and fried

The Fight

★☆☆☆☆ 1/5

Minimal fight but the challenge is in finding and hooking them. Their camouflage and bottom-dwelling habits make them a rewarding catch.

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