The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Pacific Halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis
Pacific Halibut Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 30–45 in, 12–40 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to 8 ft and over 500 lb |
| Lifespan | up to 55 years |
| Range | North Pacific from the Bering Sea and Aleutians through the Gulf of Alaska and British Columbia, south along Washington and Oregon to southern California. |
| Habitat | Mud, sand and gravel bottom over the continental shelf, mostly 20–1,000 ft — shallow feeding grounds in summer, deep edges in winter. |
| Diet | Herring, sand lance, capelin, cod, pollock, octopus, crab and clams grubbed off the bottom. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Pacific Halibut
- Both eyes on one (usually right/dark) side; flat, large-bodied flatfish
- Diamond/elongated-oval shape; large mouth, but upper jaw reaches only to the FRONT of the lower eye
- Dark mottled gray-brown on the eyed side, white underneath
- Strongly lunate (crescent/forked) tail
- Smooth, slippery skin with embedded scales
Tell it apart: Diagnostic vs the look-alike California halibut: Pacific halibut has a lunate (forked) tail and an upper jaw that stops at the FRONT of the eye, whereas California halibut has a less-forked tail and a jaw reaching to the REAR of the eye. Note: BOTH species have an arched lateral line over the pectoral, so the arch alone does NOT separate them.
How to Catch Pacific Halibut
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- A short summer season, April through July — drop large herring or scampi-tipped jigs to the bottom and bounce them in deep gravel.GearHeavy halibut jigsSpreader bar rigsCircle hooks
- A short, regulated season peaking May through July — drop large herring or scampi-skirted jigs and bounce them slowly along deep gravel.GearHeavy halibut jigsSpreader bar rigsCircle hooks
- Prime May-September; anchor or drift over sandy bottom dropping large circle hooks baited with herring or salmon, and big leadhead jigs and swimbaits.GearHeavy circle hooksLarge leadhead jigsHalibut rod combo
When & Where Pacific Halibut Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern California Nearshore | ||||||||||||
| Pacific Northwest Nearshore | ||||||||||||
| Alaska — Southcentral & Southeast Nearshore | ||||||||||||
| Alaska — Southcentral & Southeast Offshore |
Pacific Halibut Regulations
CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Marine RegionNOAA Fisheries (West Coast Region)PFMCWashingtonWashington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)OregonOregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW)AlaskaAlaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Sport FishNOAA Fisheries, Alaska Regional OfficeNPFMC
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.