Specimen plaice are generally caught in water of 10 to 50 metres depth and occasionally much deeper. They are particularly fond of mussel beds. The scales are smooth, unlike those of a flounder, which are rough.
Plaice reach maturity typically when they are between four and six years old.
When fishing for plaice, a moving bait is generally better than a static one, and adding a bright bead or spoon to the trace adds attraction. Worms , razorfish and mussel are very effective baits for plaice, and light tackle is practicable when fishing inshore sandbanks. When fishing from a boat, plaice are most likely to be caught on the drift rather than legering.