Starry Flounder
Starry flounder are a bottom-dwelling flatfish found along British Columbia's coast, from shallow estuaries and river mouths right down to deeper nearshore waters.
They're a genuine mixed-bag species — caught by shore anglers, pier fishers, and boaters alike — and put up a respectable tussle on light gear. Not a glamour fish, but a reliable and accessible target on the BC coast.
Also known as Rough-jacket, grindstone, emery wheel, emery flounder, diamondback, long-jaw flounder
- Flat, diamond-shaped body with both eyes on the dark upper side; underside is white or cream. Most individuals in BC are left-eyed, unlike many other right-eye flounders.
- The easiest field mark: bold alternating black and white-to-orange bars running across the dorsal and anal fins — no other local flatfish has this pattern.
- Upper skin is rough and sandpapery, covered in tiny star-shaped scale plates that give the fish its name and a distinctive feel in hand.
- Typical catch runs 1–2 lb in estuaries; fish from deeper nearshore water can reach 10 lb or more. Maximum size is around 3 ft and 20 lb, though that's rare.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the North Pacific; in Canada, found along the entire British Columbia coast, from the Alaska border south through the Strait of Georgia and into coastal inlets.
- One of the most euryhaline flatfish on the coast — equally at home in full saltwater, brackish estuaries, and even freshwater river reaches. Juveniles can travel well inland.
- Bottom-dwellers over sand, mud, and gravel — common in shallow bays, river mouths, tidal flats, and nearshore coastal waters down to several hundred metres.
- Seasonal movement is depth-driven: shallow estuaries and intertidal zones in summer, deeper nearshore water in winter.
Key Locations
- British Columbia estuaries and river mouths — the Fraser River delta, Squamish River estuary, and similar tidal transition zones hold fish through the warmer months.
- Strait of Georgia nearshore waters — sandy and muddy bottom areas throughout the strait support resident populations accessible to boat anglers.
- Coastal inlets and bays along the BC mainland and Vancouver Island, particularly where tidal flats and soft-bottom habitat are present near river outflows.
Specific Spots
- Tidal flats and estuary shallows at the mouths of rivers and creeks — starry flounder move into these areas to feed on invertebrates exposed by tidal movement.
- Sandy or muddy bottom near dock pilings, boat ramps, and pier structures, where they hold tight to the substrate waiting for food to come to them.
- Current edges and channel margins in estuaries, where tidal flow concentrates worms, crabs, and small baitfish over soft bottom.
- In deeper water, look for transitions from sand to gravel or mud — mixed-bottom areas hold more invertebrate prey and attract larger fish.
Starry Flounder FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Starry Flounder?
Worms (sandworms, nightcrawlers) and small pieces of clam or shrimp are the most reliable baits, fished on a bottom rig, they cover the invertebrate forage that makes up most of the diet. Small pieces of fish (herring, sardine) work well for larger fish and can be fished on the same bottom rig setup.
When is the best time to fish for Starry Flounder?
Spring and summer: fish move into shallow estuaries and tidal flats as water warms, most accessible to shore anglers during this period. Fall: fish begin moving back toward deeper water but remain catchable in estuary mouths and nearshore shallows through early fall.
How do you catch Starry Flounder?
Most BC anglers target starry flounder from shore, docks, or small boats using baited bottom rigs over sandy or muddy flats near estuary mouths. Tidal movement matters, fish tend to feed more actively on an incoming or outgoing tide when current is moving food across the bottom.
What do Starry Flounder eat?
Primary forage is bottom-dwelling invertebrates: worms, clams, crabs, shrimp, and sand dollars. This is why baited bottom rigs with worm or clam pieces are the go-to approach, you're matching what they're already rooting around for. Larger fish add small baitfish to the menu, sardines, sand lance, and similar species.
Where do Starry Flounder live?
Native to the North Pacific; in Canada, found along the entire British Columbia coast, from the Alaska border south through the Strait of Georgia and into coastal inlets. One of the most euryhaline flatfish on the coast, equally at home in full saltwater, brackish estuaries, and even freshwater river reaches.
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