Pacific sand lance hide shallow in sand and gravel. They are widespread throughout the coastal waters of Alaska.
Pacific sand lance are an important species as they make up a large portion of the food chain for predators such as halibut, rockfish, salmon as well as seabirds such as the Rhinoceros Auklet, Double-crested Cormorant and Red-throated Loon, and marine mammals including the Steller sea lion, fur seal and humpback whale.