Species

Common dab

A small, common North Sea flatfish with a semicircular curve in its lateral line that is easy to catch from the shore.

Limanda limanda

Photo: Hans Hillewaert, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, adjusted to 3:2

Spawning: December to June, peaking from March to May, according to other sources February to April (general guide, varies by region)
German Red List: not threatened
Typical method: Surf fishing
Top bait: Lugworm

Plan a day fishing for Common dab

How to recognise it

Lateral line with a distinct semicircular curve above the pectoral fin
Eyes on the right side, upper side pale brown with darker blotches, no orange spots
Scales with rough rear edges, no large bony knobs

Easily confused with: Often confused with the plaice, which has orange-red spots and bony knobs behind the eyes. The flounder has no curve in its lateral line and is rough along the lateral line and the fin bases.

How to catch it

Methods: Surf fishing, Bottom fishing from piers and groynes, Drift fishing from a boat

Baits: Lugworm, Ragworm, Shrimp, Mussel meat

The dab is a resident fish that only moves between deeper water and the coast (Wikipedia); from the shore mainly at dusk and at night.

Habitat and food

Western and northern European coasts from the Bay of Biscay to about the latitude of Trondheim and in the Baltic Sea to about the latitude of Gotland, mainly in the southern North Sea. Sandy, soft bottoms down to around 100 m, including the Wadden Sea (Wikipedia).

Invertebrates such as brittle stars, worms, mussels and crustaceans, occasionally small fish (Wikipedia).

Size and age

Up to 40 cm, highest known age twelve years (Wikipedia). FishBase: max. 40 cm (standard length), max. published weight 1.0 kg, max. reported age 12 years.

Protection and rules

Conservation status: German Red List (marine fish 2025): not threatened, population very common, clear long-term increase. IUCN: not threatened (Least Concern, 2014).

Common dab: closed season and minimum size by German state

Mecklenburg-Western Pomeraniaminimum size 25 cm (coast)
Schleswig-Holsteinminimum size 23 cm (coast)

From the official state fisheries regulations, retrieved 2026-10-11. All rules by state

Check the rules

Closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by each German state and can be stricter for single waters. All rules by state, with the legal source

In the kitchen

Tender, mild flesh; sold fresh, dried or smoked and cheaper than sole (Wikipedia). Classically pan-fried whole.

Sources (4)

Last checked 2026-10-13. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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