Species profile
Sole
Microstomus pacificus
Identify Sole (Microstomus pacificus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 5 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Sole (Microstomus pacificus) is a bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 8 (Federal Waters (DFO)); the most generous is 20 (California).
Confirmed by 36 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Washington, and British Columbia the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Can live over 60 years, one of the longest lifespans of any Pacific flatfish.
- Both eyes migrate to the left side of the body during larval development.
- Occurs at depths from 50 m to over 1,500 m along the Pacific coast.
- Produces a characteristic thick mucus coating on its skin.
- Grows to about 76 cm (30 in); among the most commercially valuable west coast flatfish.
Where Sole are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Sole
Background
Microstomus pacificus, the (Pacific) Dover sole, slime sole or slippery sole is a Pacific flatfish of the flounder family which ranges from Baja California to the Bering Sea. It takes its name from a resemblance to the common sole of Europe, which is often called Dover sole.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Sole article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Sole?
Sole (Microstomus pacificus) is a bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Sole?
Sole is Microstomus pacificus.
Is Sole regulated for fishing?
Yes — Sole has fishing regulations in 5 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Sole?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Sole along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.