Pacific Halibut in California
Bag rules, records and waters: Pacific halibut.
- 1 a daydaily bag
- 67 lbs., 4 oz.record
About California Pacific halibut
CDFW groups Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) with its flatfish species, on salt water. Anglers may keep 1 a day (North of Point Arena), size none.
The state record weighed 67 lbs., 4 oz., taken at Santa Rosa Island in 2011. It shows up along the north and central coast, per CDFW.
The CDFW profile of Pacific halibut
“Pacific halibut are found from the Bering Sea and east to the Sea of Japan to Santa Barbara, California. In California they are rare south of San Francisco.”
“Pacific halibut prefer sandy environments along the continental shelf and are found in a broad range of depths from inshore to 450 meters (1,485 feet).”
- SizePacific halibut can reach lengths of up to 8 feet (2.4 m) and weights of 500 pounds (230 kg) although fish found off California are smaller than these maximum sizes.
- SeasonThe recreational and commercial fishing seasons for Pacific halibut vary by year and fishing sector, and are subject to inseason changes such as closure due to projected attainment of quotas.
- GearLegal recreational gears for Pacific halibut include hook-and-line and spear gears. Legal commercial gears for Pacific halibut include hook and line gears.
- Where fishedAllowed statewide.
- Other namesAlaskan halibut, alabato, northern halibut, right halibut, genuine halibut, real halibut
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
Bag limits for Pacific halibut
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North of Point Arena | 1 a day | none | Open April 1, 2026 through November 15, 2026 or until quota is reached, whichever is earlier |
| South of Point Arena | 1 a day | none | Open April 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 or until quota is reached, whichever is earlier |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
The Pacific 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 Pacific halibut
- Full Throttle Sportfishingcharter boat operator, Eureka
Top species in sportfishingreport.com dock totals, October 2025 to October 2026.
Other fish like Pacific halibut
- California HalibutFlatfish
- Diamond TurbotFlatfish
- Pacific SanddabFlatfish
- Sand SoleFlatfish
- Starry FlounderFlatfish
Pacific halibut in California: what people ask
What are the rules for keeping Pacific halibut?
1 a day (North of Point Arena), size none.
What is the California record Pacific halibut?
67 lbs., 4 oz. from Santa Rosa Island (2011).
Which California lakes hold Pacific halibut?
Allowed statewide.
Does CDFW stock Pacific halibut?
No 2026 plants are listed.
What Latin name does CDFW use for Pacific halibut?
Pacific halibut can reach lengths of up to 8 feet (2.4 m) and weights of 500 pounds (230 kg) although fish found off California are smaller than these maximum sizes.
When is the season for Pacific halibut?
Open April 1, 2026 through November 15, 2026 or until quota is reached, whichever is earlier
Which license do I buy for Pacific halibut?
License from 16 ($64.54); some species need report cards too.
Which charters catch Pacific halibut?
1 operator list it in their counts, including Full Throttle Sportfishing.