Saltwater · Fall through spring in estuaries; year-round on coastal sand flats
Starry Flounder
Platichthys stellatus
A hardy flatfish of estuaries and sandy bays that even ventures into fresh water in lower rivers. Starry flounder are easy for shore anglers to catch on small baits fished on the bottom.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Bold black-and-white to orange bars on the dorsal and anal fins — the giveaway mark
- Rough, star-shaped scales make the dark side feel like sandpaper
- Top side dark brown to black, sometimes with pale blotches; underside white
- Small mouth and a nearly straight lateral line
- Look-alike: California halibut has smooth scales, no barred fins and a much larger, toothy mouth
Habits
- Lie buried in sand or mud with only the eyes showing
- Move well into estuaries and lower rivers, tolerating fresh water
- Feed on worms, clams, shrimp and small crabs dug from the bottom
- Bite best on a gentle moving tide, day or night
Distribution
Where to find them
- Estuary flats near creek mouths on the flooding tide
- Sandy edges of lower-river channels from shore or bridges
- Shallow sandy bays drifted slowly from a small boat
Where they live
How to catch them
Bottom bait from shore
Rig: Two-hook bottom rig with a 2-3 oz pyramid sinker
Bait/lure: Sand shrimp, worms, clam neck
Key tip: Cast to the edge of the channel, not the middle of the flat. Recast if no bite in 15 minutes.
Slow drift from a boat
Rig: Single bait hook with a small sinker, drifted with the tide
Bait/lure: Shrimp and worm pieces
Key tip: Keep the rig crawling along bottom over sand — flounder will not rise for it.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: 8-9' medium spinning rod
- Line: 20 lb braid, 15 lb leader
- Terminal: Bottom rigs, pyramid sinkers, size 2-4 hooks
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 1-3 lb; large specimens 8 lb+
On the table
Good — mild, white, thin fillets; best fresh.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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