Rock Sole
Lepidopsetta billineta (southern rock sole) and Lepidopsetta polyxystra (northern rock sole)
Also known as Sole, Flounder, Rock flounder, Two-lined flounder, White-bellied flounder
Culinary Profile
Mild, sweet flavor.
Small, tender flakes.
Rock sole is an excellent source of low-fat protein, calcium, and other nutrients.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Rock sole are a flatfish with both eyes located on the right side of their head. Northern rock sole’s underside is creamy white, whereas southern rock sole’s underside is white with glossy highlights. Rock sole are sometimes called roughback because of the rough scales on their backs.
Biology
Rock sole grow up to 2 feet long and can live for more than 20 years. They are able to reproduce when they reach 4 to 7 years old. Northern rock sole spawn in midwinter and spring, and southern rock sole spawn in the summer. Females lay eggs near the ocean bottom, and the eggs stick wherever they land. Eggs hatch between 6 and 25 days later, depending on water temperature. Larval rock sole eat plankton and algae.
Where They Live
Range Northern rock sole are found from Puget Sound through the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands to the Kuril Islands (north of Japan). Southern rock sole are found from the southeast Bering Sea to Baja California. Habitat Larvae are found in the upper 100 feet of the water column. Juveniles move to deeper water as they grow larger.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Alaska to California (but mainly Alaska).
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2023, commercial landings of rock sole totaled 59 million pounds and were valued at $11.5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Almost all commercial harvest of rock sole comes from Alaska, mainly the Bering Sea. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Bottom trawls are primarily used to harvest rock sole. Trawls can contact the ocean floor and impact habitats, depending on the characteristics of the ocean bottom and the size of the gear. Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska fishermen use a modified trawl gear which reduces the impact of trawling on animals living on the sea floor, including crabs. Halibut, salmon, and crab are sometimes incidentally caught in the groundfish fishery in Alaska.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Rock Sole ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Phosphorus | 252 mg | 16 / 111 | 86% |
| Vitamin D | 2.8 IU | 25 / 54 | 54% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 137 mg | 47 / 104 | 55% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 108 mg | 76 / 104 | 27% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.13 µg | 80 / 106 | 25% |
| Selenium | 26.6 µg | 95 / 106 | 10% |
| Iron | 0.18 mg | 98 / 111 | 12% |
| Protein | 12.41 g | 100 / 111 | 10% |
| Zinc | 0.32 mg | 102 / 111 | 8% |
Other Alaska Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Rock Sole.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Bocaccio
Sebastes paucispinis
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Canary Rockfish
Sebastes pinniger
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chinook salmon has a pronounced buttery, rich taste. They are the most highly prized salmon in the culinary world.
Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta
Chum salmon has a lower oil content than other wild salmon, so it has a relatively mild flavor.
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Smaller coho have a delicate flavor. Fillets from larger fish have a mild taste.
Dover Sole
Microstomus pacificus
Mild and sweet.
English Sole
Parophrys vetulus
Mild taste with a slight shellfish flavor.
Flathead Sole
Hippoglossoides elassodon
Mild and delicate flavor.
Geoduck
Panopea generosa
The neck is tough and crunchy, while the belly meat is tender and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Rock Sole, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should Rock Sole be cooked?
Rock Sole has Small, tender flakes. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
What is the stock status of Rock Sole?
The stocks in Alaska are not overfished.
How much Rock Sole is caught commercially?
In 2023, commercial landings of rock sole totaled 59 million pounds and were valued at $11.5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Almost all commercial harvest of rock sole comes from Alaska, mainly the Bering Sea. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Bottom trawls are primarily used to harvest rock sole.
How big does Rock Sole get?
grow up to 2 feet.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught rock sole is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are two species of rock sole: Northern rock sole and rock sole. Both Northern rock sole and rock sole are contained in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Rock Sole Complex and the Gulf of Alaska Shallow Water Flatfish Complex. Rock sole is contained in the Other Flatfish Complex along the Pacific coast.
Population
The stocks in Alaska are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Area closures and gear restrictions protect habitat affected by bottom trawls used to harvest rock sole.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council manage this fishery in Alaska. Managed under the Fishery Management Plans for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska : Fishermen must have a permit to participate in the fishery, and the number of available permits is limited to control the amount of fishing.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 22 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.