Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Washington State south to Baja California and the Gulf of California. Most abundant from San Francisco Bay south through Southern California. Found on sandy bottom in bays, nearshore coastal areas, and offshore banks in 10–300 feet. A very popular California sport fish — the most sought-after flatfish on the West Coast.
Preferred Water Temperature: 55°F–68°F. Found on sandy bottom adjacent to structure. Concentrate in bays and nearshore coastal areas in summer; move deeper in winter. Known to ambush baitfish near the surface — one of the few flatfish regularly caught near the surface on swimbaits.
Size & Weight: Typical catches run 5–15 lbs. Trophy "barn door" Halibut exceed 40 lbs. World record: 67 lbs 12 oz. Distinguished from Pacific Halibut by a very large mouth. Can be right or left-eyed — unlike most flatfish. Excellent eating — firm, white, sweet fillets. California minimum size applies.
Best Lures: Swimbaits dragged slowly on the bottom are the dominant modern technique. White or natural swimbaits (5–7 inch) on a lead-head jig produce excellent results. Dart-style jig heads with paddle tails work very well. Swimbaits worked through sandy-bottom depressions catch fish consistently.
Best Baits: Live anchovies fished near the bottom are outstanding. Live smelt are top baits in Northern California. Large live mudsuckers are excellent in bays. Fresh-dead anchovies on a slider rig produce consistently. Live queenfish work well in Southern California. Always keep bait near the sandy bottom — that's where Halibut are.
Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Washington State south to Baja California and the Gulf of California. Most abundant from San Francisco Bay south through Southern California. Found on sandy bottom in bays, nearshore coastal areas, and offshore banks in 10–300 feet. A very popular California sport fish — the most sought-after flatfish on the West Coast.
Water Conditions
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55°F–68°F. Found on sandy bottom adjacent to structure. Concentrate in bays and nearshore coastal areas in summer; move deeper in winter. Known to ambush baitfish near the surface — one of the few flatfish regularly caught near the surface on swimbaits.
Tackle & Bait
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Best Lures:
Swimbaits dragged slowly on the bottom are the dominant modern technique. White or natural swimbaits (5–7 inch) on a lead-head jig produce excellent results. Dart-style jig heads with paddle tails work very well. Swimbaits worked through sandy-bottom depressions catch fish consistently.
Best Baits:
Live anchovies fished near the bottom are outstanding. Live smelt are top baits in Northern California. Large live mudsuckers are excellent in bays. Fresh-dead anchovies on a slider rig produce consistently. Live queenfish work well in Southern California. Always keep bait near the sandy bottom — that's where Halibut are.
Top Fishing Locations
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18 fishing locations where you can catch California Halibut
Bay
🌊 Saltwater
Santa Cruz Island
🌊 Saltwater
Berkeley Flats
🌊 Saltwater
Berkeley, CA
Blacks Beach
🌊 Saltwater
La Jolla, CA
Cabrillo Harbor
🌊 Saltwater
San Pedro, CA
Crystal Pier
🌊 Saltwater
San Diego, CA
Humboldt County Coast
🌊 Saltwater
Eureka, CA
La Jolla
🌊 Saltwater
La Jolla, CA
Malibu Coast
🌊 Saltwater
Malibu, CA
Monterey Bay
🌊 Saltwater
CA
Newport Harbor
🌊 Saltwater
Newport Beach, CA
Paradise Cove
🌊 Saltwater
Tiburon, CA
Point Loma
🌊 Saltwater
San Diego, CA
San Diego Bay
🌊 Saltwater
San Diego, CA
San Diego Coastal
🌊 Saltwater
San Diego, CA
San Francisco Bay
🏞️ Freshwater
San Francisco, CA
Santa Cruz
🌊 Saltwater
Santa Cruz, CA
South San Francisco Bay
🌊 Saltwater
Santa Clara County, CA
Size & Sport
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Typical catches run 5–15 lbs. Trophy "barn door" Halibut exceed 40 lbs. World record: 67 lbs 12 oz. Distinguished from Pacific Halibut by a very large mouth. Can be right or left-eyed — unlike most flatfish. Excellent eating — firm, white, sweet fillets. California minimum size applies.
Whoppers — Biggest Catches
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🥇
59.50 lbs
Carlos Fernandez
Pacific DawnJun 28, 2016
🥈
56.40 lbs
Mark Fergoson
Speed TwinJul 26, 2008
🥉
56.40 lbs
Mark Fergoson
Speed TwinJul 26, 2008
#4
55.00 lbs
Gary Jioras
Royal PolarisNov 30, -0001
#5
51.00 lbs
Khachatur & Gerorge
MirageMay 10, 2006
#6
51.00 lbs
khachatur Shiroyan
MirageMay 10, 2006
#7
50.00 lbs
MirageSep 18, 2011
#8
50.00 lbs
MirageSep 18, 2011
#9
47.00 lbs
Ricky
Ventura Harbor SportfishingApr 18, 2017
#10
47.00 lbs
Tom Pipkin
Santa Cruz IslandMay 14, 2016
#11
45.00 lbs
George Lukas
MirageMay 10, 2006
#12
44.70 lbs
Mike Bratton
IndependenceJun 16, 2006
#13
44.60 lbs
Richard Wu
Jun 18, 2008
#14
44.60 lbs
Richard Wu
Jun 18, 2008
#15
44.60 lbs
Richard Wu
Aloha Spirit OldJun 18, 2008
#16
44.00 lbs
chad woods
Mar 4, 2008
#17
42.50 lbs
Tom Dewald
Davey's Locker
#18
42.00 lbs
Toby Brittian
MirageJul 20, 2008
#19
42.00 lbs
Mike Thompson
MirageJun 6, 2009
#20
41.80 lbs
Tom Payne
SearcherJun 17, 2006
#21
41.07 lbs
Doug Brodbeck Mr. Ruiz
Royal PolarisJun 26, 2005
#22
41.00 lbs
Sea JayJun 5, 2023
#23
40.00 lbs
Bruce Wolfe
LenbrookeMay 20, 2001
#24
40.00 lbs
San Clemente IslandJul 18, 2018
#25
40.00 lbs
Roland Crane
MirageAug 8, 2004
State & Agency Records
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11 official records on file for California Halibut
🥇
67 lbs. 5 oz.
Francisco J. Rivera Camarillo, CA
Santa Rosa Island, Channeil Islands National Park, CAJul 1, 2011Ocean AnglingCDFW
#2
67 lbs. 5 oz.
Francisco J. Rivera
Santa Rosa Island, Channeil Islands National Park, CAJul 1, 2011Ocean AnglingIGFAMens - 50# line
#3
58 lbs. 9 oz.
Roger Borell
Santa Rosa Island, Channeil Islands National Park, CAJun 26, 1999Ocean AnglingIGFAMens - 30# line