Yellowtail Flounder
Yellowtail flounder are a commercial flatfish of Canada's Atlantic shelf, caught mainly on the Grand Banks and Georges Bank off Newfoundland. Recreational harvest is uncommon — this is primarily a commercial species taken by bottom trawl.
Anglers occasionally pick them up while bottom-fishing for other groundfish over sandy or muddy bottom in Atlantic Canada.
Scientific Name: Limanda ferruginea
Also known as Rusty dab, Sandy dab, limande queue jaune
- Flat, oval-bodied right-eyed flounder — both eyes sit on the upper (right) side; small upturned mouth distinguishes it from larger-mouthed flatfish like halibut.
- Upper side is olive-brown to reddish-brown with irregular rusty blotches; underside is yellowish-white; tail fin and other fins are distinctly yellow — the easiest field mark.
- Lateral line arches sharply above the pectoral fin, then runs straight toward the tail — a useful ID detail when the fish is in hand.
- Typical Canadian fish run 38–40 cm and around 0.5–0.6 kg; maximum recorded length is about 56 cm.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the western North Atlantic; in Canada, found along the continental shelf from Newfoundland and Labrador south through the Scotian Shelf and into the Bay of Fundy approaches.
- Main concentrations are on the Grand Banks (NAFO Divisions 3LNO) and Georges Bank (Division 5Z), with additional populations on Sable Island Bank, Banquereau, and Browns Bank on the Scotian Shelf.
- Prefers sandy or muddy bottom at depths of roughly 40–70 metres; rarely ventures deeper than 100 metres.
- Stock distribution has shifted northward on the Grand Banks in recent decades as water temperatures have warmed.
Key Locations
- Grand Banks, Newfoundland (NAFO Divisions 3LNO) — the historic heart of the Canadian yellowtail fishery, with the largest concentrations in Division 3N.
- Georges Bank (NAFO Division 5Z) — a shared Canada–U.S. bank where a separate, depleted stock is under active rebuilding management by DFO.
- Sable Island Bank and Banquereau, Scotian Shelf — smaller discrete populations managed as separate assessment units by DFO.
- Magdalen Islands area — a near-shore fishery exists here, with fish used primarily as lobster bait.
Specific Spots
- Sandy or fine-gravel bottom on offshore banks — yellowtails lie flat and blend into the substrate, so flat featureless bottom is actually their preferred ground.
- Depth band of 40–70 m is the consistent sweet spot; shallower edges of the banks where bottom type transitions from mud to sand can concentrate fish.
- When bottom-fishing from a boat, drifting over clean sandy bottom rather than anchoring over structure is the typical approach for this species.
Yellowtail Flounder FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Yellowtail Flounder?
Clam (surf clam or quahog) is the most reliable bait, cut into strips and threaded onto the hook so it stays put on the drift. Squid strips work similarly.
When is the best time to fish for Yellowtail Flounder?
No well-documented recreational season, incidental catches occur year-round during offshore bottom-fishing trips. Commercial fisheries operate under DFO-set seasons and quota allocations that vary by NAFO division and stock status.
How do you catch Yellowtail Flounder?
Yellowtail flounder in Canada are taken almost entirely by commercial bottom trawlers working offshore banks. Recreational anglers occasionally catch them while drifting clam or squid rigs over sandy bottom at depth when targeting other groundfish species from offshore charter or private boats out of Atlantic Canada...
What do Yellowtail Flounder eat?
Small-mouthed feeders that pick invertebrates off the bottom, worms, small crustaceans, and tiny molluscs make up most of their diet. When targeting them incidentally, small pieces of clam or squid fished on a two-hook bottom rig close to the seafloor is the standard approach.
Where do Yellowtail Flounder live?
Native to the western North Atlantic; in Canada, found along the continental shelf from Newfoundland and Labrador south through the Scotian Shelf and into the Bay of Fundy approaches.
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