Atlantic Halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
FR Flétan de l'Atlantique · ES Fletán del Atlántico · PT Halibute-do-Atlântico · DE Atlantischer Heilbutt
Also known as: HalibutFletánFlétan AtlantiqueAlaboteFletán del AtlánticoFlétan de l'AtlantiqueAtlantischer HeilbuttHalibute-do-Atlântico
BenthicBoat
FlatfishGamefishDeepwater
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; settled weather windows
Depth
80–400m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak May–JunGood Apr–Jul
Depth range
80–400mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering60%
Preferred seabed
SandMud
Findr bio
Daylight deep bottom hunter. Whole fish or large cut baits — go big...
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Deep waterShallow waterWreck reef
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSquid
Diet
Sand eelHerringSmall fishSquidCrab
Effective techniques
Bottom FishingDrifting
Gear
Best times
DawnDayMid flood
Largest flatfish on Earth — the original “holy-but” halibut.
Field notes
Where to find them
Cold northern shelf waters, banks and drop-offs
Where they hang out
100–300 m over banks and saddles
Prime time
Year-round; settled weather windows
Tide game
Moderate; fish edges where tide funnels bait
What they're into
Large fish or squid baits; eats fish, squid, crustaceans
Temperature vibe
Cold-water specialist, 3–7°C optimum, stays deep
Fave weather
Needs calm enough seas to hold bottom accurately
Fun fact about me
Largest flatfish on Earth — the original “holy-but” halibut.
Dinner material?
10/10Excellent eating
Play by the rules
Size/bag limits and closed seasons common — check locallyNational fisheries agency (e.g. NOAA, Fiskeridirektoratet, MMO)
Looking after them
Endangered