Lemon Sole belong to the Pleuronectidae family.

They are grey to greenish-brown on the upper side with faint, slightly darker marbling.  The underside is white.  The body is oval in shape with the widest part well forward of the centre.  The head is small, and the eyes are close together on the edge of a slightly protuding snout.  There are distinct, rough scales.  The dorsal fin begins above the eye.

Lemon Sole

Lemon Sole are widespread in New Zealand waters, particularly in the south, from near the shore to 100 metres depth.

Lemon Sole are caught throughout the year around the South Island but particularly in Tasman Bay, Pegasus Bay, and off the Otago and Southland coasts, mainly in trawls.

New Zealand's Flatfish (FLA) fishery is managed by strict quotas, which allow only a set amount of Flatfish to be taken commercially each year, of which Lemon Sole is a component species.  This Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) was set at 5,419 metric tonnes for the 2009/10 fishing year.

Lemon Sole Meat Quality

Lemon Sole have delicate, moist, white flesh with a low oil content.  The upper fillets are slightly darker but whiten on cooking.

For meal ideas using Lemon Sole, check out the recipes on the Greatest Meal on Earth website.