California Halibut in California
Bag rules, records and waters: California halibut.
- 2 a daydaily bag
- 67 lbs., 4 oz.record
About California California halibut
CDFW groups California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) with its flatfish species, on salt water. Anglers may keep 2 a day (North of Point Sur, Monterey County), size 22 in minimum.
The state record weighed 67 lbs., 4 oz., taken at Santa Rosa Island in 2011. It shows up along the north, central and south coast, per CDFW.
The CDFW profile of California halibut
“The geographic range for California halibut (halibut) extends from the Quillayute River in northern Washington to Cabo Falsa (22°50’N) in southern Baja California, Mexico. Halibut have also been reported in the upper Gulf of California although this has not been verified. They are most commonly encountered from Bodega Bay, northern California (Sonoma County) to Bahía de San Quintín, northern Baja California. In association with warm water events, halibut are occasionally common in Humboldt Bay.”
“Halibut are generally distributed across benthic habitat with soft bottom substrate such as sand or mud, and further concentrated both near and within bays, estuaries, and other coastal areas shallower than 197 ft (60 m), although their known depth range can extend to 1,040 ft (317 m).”
- SizeThe largest reported length and weight for halibut are 60 inches (1520 millimeters) and 72 pounds (32.7 kilograms), although halibut greater than 45 inches (1140 millimeters) are rare and these are usually females. Females grow faster and r
- SeasonFishing is open year-round for both recreational and commercial fisheries, except trawling is prohibited March 15 to June 15 within the California Halibut Trawl Grounds in southern California.
- GearHalibut are taken commercially by trawl, set gill net, and hook-and-line, and recreationally by hook-and-line and by divers using spears. Most commercial and recreational fishing is vessel based, although some recreational fishing occurs fr
- Where fishedThe commercial hook-and-line fishery and the recreational fishery can occur statewide (outside of designated protected areas). The gill net fishery is restricted to southern California (south of Point Arguello). The trawl fishery can occur
- Other namesbarn door, cal hal, flatty, flyswatter
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
Bag limits for California halibut
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North of Point Sur, Monterey County | 2 a day | 22 in minimum | Year round |
| South of Point Sur, Monterey County | 5 a day | 22 in minimum | Year round |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
The California halibut record
| Category | Method | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean angling | Lure | 67 lbs., 4 oz. | Santa Rosa Island | 2011 |
| Ocean diving | Scuba | 72 lbs., 8 oz. | Santa Cruz Island | 1982 |
CDFW Angling and Diving Records. Angler names left out.
Party boats and California halibut
- Argo Sportfishingcharter boat operator, San Francisco
- Berkeley Charter Boatscharter boat operator, Berkeley
- California Dawn Sportfishingcharter boat operator, Berkeley
- Gatherer Outfitterscharter boat operator, Berkeley
- Lovely Martha Sportfishingcharter boat operator, San Francisco
- Monterey Bay Charterscharter boat operator, Santa Cruz
- Reel Addiction Sportfishingcharter boat operator, Berkeley
- Salty Lady Sportfishingcharter boat operator, Sausalito
Top species in sportfishingreport.com dock totals, October 2025 to October 2026.
Other fish like California halibut
- Diamond TurbotFlatfish
- Pacific HalibutFlatfish
- Pacific SanddabFlatfish
- Sand SoleFlatfish
- Starry FlounderFlatfish
California halibut in California: what people ask
What are the rules for keeping California halibut?
2 a day (North of Point Sur, Monterey County), size 22 in minimum.
What is the California record California halibut?
67 lbs., 4 oz. from Santa Rosa Island (2011).
Which California lakes hold California halibut?
The commercial hook-and-line fishery and the recreational fishery can occur statewide (outside of designated protected areas). The gill net fishery is restricted to southern California (south of Point Arguello). The traw
Does CDFW stock California halibut?
No 2026 plants are listed.
What Latin name does CDFW use for California halibut?
The largest reported length and weight for halibut are 60 inches (1520 millimeters) and 72 pounds (32.7 kilograms), although halibut greater than 45 inches (1140 millimeters) are rare and these are usually females. Femal
When is the season for California halibut?
Year round
Which license do I buy for California halibut?
License from 16 ($64.54); some species need report cards too.
Which charters catch California halibut?
8 operators list it in their counts, including Argo Sportfishing.