Witch Flounder
Glyptocephalus cynoglossus
Also known as Grey sole
Culinary Profile
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Lean and flaky.
Witch flounder is a good low-fat source of B vitamins and niacin.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Witch flounder is a right-eyed species of flounder. They have a relatively small head, small mouth, and narrow body. Witch flounder are covered in smooth scales. They have approximately 12 indentations on the underside (blind side) of their head. The top side (eyed side) of a witch flounder is generally grayish-brown in color, while the bottom side is white and covered with tiny dark dots.
Biology
Relative to other flatfish in the region, witch flounder are slow-growing, late-maturing, and long-lived. Witch flounder can grow up to 31 inches long. The median age at sexual maturity for male witch flounder is 4 years and 6.5 years for females. Female witch flounder are larger, heavier, and live longer than males.
Where They Live
Range Witch flounder are found on the eastern and western sides of the North Atlantic. Adult witch flounder are generally distributed along the edge of the continental shelf as far south as Cape Hatteras. Along the western side of the North Atlantic, witch flounder are distributed in deep, cold waters from Labrador to North Carolina. No seasonal migration is known to occur.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
Wild-caught from Maine to North Carolina.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial Fishery for Witch Flounder In 2022, commercial landings of witch flounder totaled 1.7 million pounds, and were valued at almost $3 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear Types, Habitat Impacts, and Bycatch Witch flounder are commonly harvested using trawl nets and, to a lesser extent, gillnets. Areas closures and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets. Fishermen follow management measures designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents Recreational Fishery for Witch Flounder Witch flounder are not commonly encountered by the recreational fishery. Recreational fishing regulations include a minimum fish size.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Witch Flounder 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 New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Witch Flounder.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab
Chaceon quinquedens
Sweet and clean.
Atlantic Halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Halibut has a very mild, sweet taste.
Atlantic Pollock
Pollachius virens
Sweet and delicate.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Buttery, rich taste.
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Placopecten magellanicus
Sea scallops have a sweet, rich taste that can be mild or briny.
Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Slightly sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Witch Flounder, 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 Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Witch Flounder a lean fish or a rich one?
At 70 kcal per 100 g raw, Witch Flounder counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
What does Witch Flounder eat?
Relative to other flatfish in the region, witch flounder are slow-growing, late-maturing, and long-lived. Witch flounder can grow up to 31 inches long. The median age at sexual maturity for male witch flounder is 4 years and 6.5 years for females. Female witch flounder are larger, heavier, and live longer than males.
How should Witch Flounder be cooked?
Witch Flounder has Lean and flaky. — 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.
How much protein is in 100 g of Witch Flounder?
A 100 g raw serving of Witch Flounder provides 12.41 g of protein — roughly 25% of the FDA 50 g daily value.
Where is Witch Flounder found?
Range Witch flounder are found on the eastern and western sides of the North Atlantic. Adult witch flounder are generally distributed along the edge of the continental shelf as far south as Cape Hatteras. Along the western side of the North Atlantic, witch flounder are distributed in deep, cold waters from Labrador to North Carolina. No seasonal migration is known to occur.
Sustainability Story
Stock Structure
Witch flounder is overfished, but the overfishing status is unknown (2022 stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stock condition is poor. The stock is overfished and the catch advice has not resulted in population growth.
Fishing Rate
Overfishing status is unknown, but management measures are in place.
Habitat Impacts
Area closures and gear restrictions protect habitats that are affected by some kinds of trawl gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the witch flounder fishery. Witch flounder, along with other groundfish in New England waters, is managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan , which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Separate management measures for recreational vessels.
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.