Species profile
Sole
Parophrys vetulus
Identify Sole (Parophrys vetulus) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 6 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Sole (Parophrys vetulus) 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 306 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with British Columbia, Washington, and California the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- English sole are flatfish with both eyes positioned on the right side of the head.
- They inhabit sandy and muddy bottoms from Alaska to Baja California at depths to 550 meters.
- English sole can live up to 24 years; females grow significantly larger than males.
- Young sole undergo metamorphosis — one eye migrates to the right side of the head.
- They feed mainly on worms, small crustaceans, and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
Where Sole are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Sole
Background
The English sole (Parophrys vetulus) is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish that lives on sandy and muddy bottoms in estuaries and near shore areas, at depths of up to 550 metres (1,800 ft). It reaches up to 57 centimetres (22 in) in length, and can weigh up to 1.5 kilograms (3.3 lb). Its native habitat is the Eastern Pacific, stretching from the coast of Baja…
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 (Parophrys vetulus) 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 Parophrys vetulus.
Is Sole regulated for fishing?
Yes — Sole has fishing regulations in 6 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 app for iPhone or Android — 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.