Download the mobile app!
Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.
Check out our new Android or iOS app for Fishing Status.
The long awaited return of our mobie app is back on Apple App Store and Google Play
Halibut
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Hippoglossus stenolepis |
| Common Names: | halibut, barndoor, barn door, alabato |
| Environment: | Nearshore, Offshore |
| Ideal Temp: | |
About Halibut
Halibut is a flatfish, from the family of the right-eye flounders (Pleuronectidae). Other flatfish are also called halibut. The name is derived from haly (holy) and butt (flat fish), for its popularity on Catholic holy days. Halibut are demersal fish which live in the North Pacific and the North Atlantic oceans. They are highly regarded food fish.
The halibut is the largest flat fish, averaging 11–13.5 kg (24–30 lb).
Halibut feed on almost any animal they can fit into their mouths. Juvenile halibut feed on small crustaceans and other bottom-dwelling organisms. Animals found in their stomachs include sand lance, octopus, crab, salmon, hermit crabs, lamprey, sculpin, cod, pollock, herring, and flounder, as well as other halibut. Halibut live at depths ranging from a few to hundreds of metres, and although they spend most of their time near the bottom, halibut may move up in the water column to feed. In most ecosystems, the halibut is near the top of the marine food chain. In the North Pacific
A significant sport fishery in Alaska and British Columbia has emerged, where halibut are prized game and food fish. Sport fisherman use large rods and reels with 80–150 lb (36–68 kg) line, and often bait with herring, large jigs, or whole salmon heads. Halibut are strong and fight strenuously when exposed to air. Smaller fish will usually be pulled on board with a gaff and may be clubbed or even punched in the head to prevent them from thrashing around on the deck. In both commercial and sport fisheries, standard procedure is to shoot or otherwise subdue very large halibut over 150–200 lb (68–91 kg) before landing them.
Halibut are bottom feeders so you must drop the hook to the ocean floor. They prefer deep waters, 200 - 300 feet deep, with piles of rocks and ledges to live on.
Halibut Fishing
| World Record: | 208.2 kg (459 lb 0 oz) Dutch Harbor, Alaska, USA |
| # Fish Caught: | 26511978 documented in database. |
| Earliest Record: | 1/1/1900 12:00:00 AM and located at 59.08333, -152.50000. |
| Latest Record: | 12/22/2025 9:41:19 AM and located at 44.05314, -123.09544. |
| Common Techniques: | Bottom Fishing, Jigging |
| Popular Lure Types: | Bottom Rig, Jigs |
| Fishing Spots: | 34615 Halibut fishing spots. |
Latest Halibut Fishing Reports and Spots
Hey fishermen While Deb and I were on our road trip to Victoria B C to celebrate our 45th adversity Flash was out landing halibut and bass. It (
View)
Hey fishermen yesterday Flash 1 and Flash 2 both got into the bass. They landed a lot of halibut but they were all small and released. Today Fl (
View)
Hey Fishermen Well Flash 2 ended up with a bunch of bass after the big halibut. I have room for 2 tomorrow. Call me if you would like to get in (
View)
Hey fishermen This last weekend we had solid bass fishing with some halibut mixed in. The tides are becoming more halibut tides. Here are just (
View)
Hey fishermen The halibut were tough this last weekend but we got a few. But the bass were chomping! Great bass fishing. Check out the photos. (
View)
Hey fishermen this pass week we have been seeing some halibut make the box. The bass are also around. Give me a call for more information.Capta (
View)
Alaska has been an iconic destination for anglers from all over the globe and for good reason. The opportunities for world class fishing seem t (
View)
Halibut fishing tips for your Ketchikan Alaska Halibut fishing trip. Have you ever gone fishing just for the halibut? Fresh Alaska halibut is a (
View)
Halibut fishing in Ketchikan Alaska are a lot of fun to catch! If you want to make the most of one of the best fishing experiences the world ha (
View)
Halibut Fishing in Ketchikan Alaska Halibut fishing in Ketchikan Alaska is one of the best charter fishing trips you can go on. Halibut fight h (
View)