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Illustration of California flounder
fishing forecast

california flounder

Paralichthys californicus · full profile

location

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period

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the species

everything about the california flounder

how to recognize it

Flat-bodied flatfish with both eyes on the same side of the head, like other flatfish. It has very sharp teeth. On the same Mexican coast lives the speckled flounder (Paralichthys woolmani), which is much smaller, reaches 80 cm, and is found in estuaries and bottoms down to 22 m. The California halibut is larger and goes down to 183 m, which makes the two species easy to separate.

Also called: linguado-californiano, linguado, lenguado de California, California flounder

We don't have tips on season, bait or technique for this species yet.

Where to look: Sand bottoms, near the coast and in estuaries, usually from 0 to 60 m.

In Latin America, it occurs in Mexico, in Baja California and in the northern Gulf of California.

rules for the california flounder

Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.

We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

estimated weight

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how we calculate

Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00646, b = 3.13; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.

more about the california flounder

The California halibut is a flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae that lives along the Pacific coast, from northern Washington, United States, to Baja California, Mexico. In Mexico it also occurs in the northern Gulf of California. Adults live on sand bottoms, usually at 0 to 60 m, and juveniles are common beyond the surf zone. They feed by day on fish and squid, often away from the bottom. It reaches 152 cm and 33 kg. It is an important species for sport and commercial fishing in the region.

Family: Paralichthyidae · predator

fun facts

  • It can live 30 years.
  • Adults migrate to shallow water to spawn.

in the kitchen

It is sold fresh, as fillets.

similar species

sources and references (2)

Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.

  1. scientific FishBase: Paralichthys californicus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
  2. scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Paralichthys californicusNames by country and language.