Pacific Halibut
Hippoglossus stenolepis
FR Flétan du Pacifique · ES Fletán del Pacífico · PT Alabote do Pacífico · IT Halibut pacifico · DE Pazifischer Heilbutt
Also known as: Fletán del PacíficoFlétan du PacifiqueAlabote-do-PacíficoFletán del PacíficoFlétan du PacifiquePazifischer HeilbuttHalibut pacificoAlabote do Pacífico
BenthicBoat
FlatfishGamefish
Score
—
Prime time
Summer season; settled weather windows
Depth
6–305m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak May–AugGood Apr–Sep
Depth range
6–305mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering60%
Preferred seabed
SandMud
Findr bio
Bottom-hugging barn door – I lie in wait on banks and edges, turning “just another drift” into a proper dead lift.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Deep waterEstuaryOpen seaSandy beach
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSquidPrawns
Diet
ShrimpSmall fishSquidSand eelCrab
Effective techniques
Bottom FishingJigging
Gear
Best times
DawnDayDusk
Big Pacific halibut can live for decades and grow past 100 kg, earning the nickname 'barn doors' on charter boats and in dockside stories.
Field notes
Where to find them
North Pacific banks and humps
Where they hang out
Banks and humps, 50–200+ m
Prime time
Summer season; settled weather windows
Tide game
Moderate; drift speed matters more than tide stage
What they're into
Bait or jigs bounced near bottom
Temperature vibe
Cold-water species, 2.7–7.8°C
Fave weather
Needs manageable drift conditions
Fun fact about me
So big we use halibut sleds to land me — practical glamour.
Dinner material?
10/10Excellent eating
Play by the rules
Strict seasons and quotas — check IPHC/state rulesInternational Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) / state agency
Looking after them
Least Concern
Other regions where you can target Pacific Halibut