American Plaice
American plaice are a bottom-dwelling flatfish of Canada's Atlantic coast, native to the continental shelves from Labrador south through the Scotian Shelf and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Historically a major commercial groundfish, several Canadian stocks collapsed in the early 1990s and remain under moratorium or rebuilding plans. Recreational targeting is limited; most encounters come as bycatch.
Scientific Name: Hippoglossoides platessoides
Also known as Dab, plaice, sole, plie canadienne
- Right-eyed flatfish: both eyes sit on the upper (right) side of the body, which is reddish-brown to brown, sometimes with darker patches; underside is white.
- Large mouth for a flatfish, rounded tail, and a nearly straight lateral line running lengthwise — useful ID features against similar flatfish species.
- Body covered in small, rough scales; fairly oval in outline and laterally compressed.
- Typically around 30 cm; can reach 50–70 cm. Females tend to outlive males, reaching 17–20 years.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the northwest Atlantic; in Canada, found from Baffin Island and Labrador south through Newfoundland, the Grand Banks, Scotian Shelf, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Bay of Fundy.
- Lives on soft sandy or muddy bottoms on the continental shelf, mainly between 90 and 250 m, though capable of tolerating depths to several thousand metres.
- A cold-water species, most abundant where bottom temperatures run from about -1.5°C to just above 5°C.
- The centre of abundance on the Scotian Shelf is Banquereau on the southeast corner; population density thins toward the west.
Key Locations
- Grand Banks (NAFO Divisions 3LNO), Newfoundland — historically the core of the commercial fishery; now under moratorium.
- Scotian Shelf, particularly Banquereau on the southeast corner — the centre of abundance for the Scotian Shelf population.
- Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Division 4T) — a distinct stock under active rebuilding management.
- St. Pierre Bank (NAFO Subdivision 3Ps) and Labrador/northeast Newfoundland shelf (SA2 + Division 3K) — additional recognized stock areas.
Specific Spots
- Flat, soft-bottom areas — sand or mud — on the continental shelf; plaice lie flush with the substrate and are rarely found over hard or rocky ground.
- Depth transitions between shallower shelf edges and deeper water concentrate fish, particularly as they move seasonally to follow preferred bottom temperatures.
- On the Grand Banks and Scotian Shelf, fish tend to aggregate around the edges of banks where soft bottom meets depth changes.
American Plaice FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for American Plaice?
Cut clam, shrimp, or polychaete worm on a bottom rig is the most direct match to natural forage; keep bait on or very near the bottom. Small jigs tipped with bait and worked slowly along soft bottom can also produce fish, particularly when drifting over shelf flats.
When is the best time to fish for American Plaice?
Spring and early summer: fish move shallower onto shelf feeding grounds as bottom temperatures rise, the most accessible period for incidental encounters. Late fall and winter: fish shift to deeper water as temperatures drop, making them harder to reach from smaller recreational vessels.
How do you catch American Plaice?
Recreational targeting of American plaice in Canada is uncommon; most encounters happen incidentally while bottom fishing for other groundfish species from a boat over soft-bottom shelf areas. A baited bottom rig fished at depth is the standard approach.
What do American Plaice eat?
Adults feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates: polychaete worms, brittle stars, sand dollars, shrimps, bivalve mollusks, and sea urchins. Bottom-fished baits like cut worm, clam, or shrimp on a simple bottom rig directly imitate this forage. Small fish are taken opportunistically.
Where do American Plaice live?
Native to the northwest Atlantic; in Canada, found from Baffin Island and Labrador south through Newfoundland, the Grand Banks, Scotian Shelf, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Bay of Fundy.
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