When is halibut available

Halibut can be fished year-round in federal waters, with a limit of one fish per day. Halibut is a low-fat, low-calorie source of selenium and vitamin D, but is lower in omega-3 fatty acids than other fish. Mercury levels vary in halibut, depending on fish size and age, but are generally below safety limits.

In Maine, groundfish are landed primarily at the Portland Fish Exchange and then distributed to local seafood markets. A few cooperatives are emerging that sell local halibut directly to consumers, such as Port Clyde Fresh Catch. As with other finfish, look for firm flesh, a fresh non-fishy smell, and clear eyes if buying whole. Halibut information from Maine Department of Marine Resources.

Halibut is available year-round, but the fish is best between March and September. Therefore, if you want to buy fresh halibut, try to do so between these months. Halibut is available as fresh or frozen whole fish, fillets, and steaks, and it is often farm-raised but occasionally wild. If you buy halibut and choose to buy it whole, the fish should be taut and firm but with a subtle white sparkle.

As always, avoid any fish with red or yellow discoloration, especially on the bottom side of the fish. If you are purchasing fresh fish with fat, the fat should be silver, white lightly yellow, or copper, but never green or deep yellow. Like most fish, halibut can be tricky to gauge when buying for a crowd. The same is true for fish fillets. Do your best to not buy more than you can eat in that evening; freezing pre-cooked halibut, especially when prepared with sauces and seasonings, is never a great idea.

Halibut has very little natural oil, which means the fish will dry out easily while cooking or if improperly stored. Buy fresh halibut the day you plan to eat it. No length limit. Pacific halibut possession limit: 1 daily limit at sea through Sept 12 , 3 daily limits on land. Beginning Monday, September 13, the daily limit at seas is 2 fish. Fathom lines and conservation areas are defined by waypoints. Pacific halibut seasons are managed and enforced based on port of landing.

Halibut may only be landed into ports located within areas currently open to halibut retention, regardless of area of catch. When angling for Pacific halibut outside of the fm curve only salmon as regulations allow , bottomfish as regulations below allow, tuna and most other offshore pelagic species may be in possession or landed when Pacific halibut are onboard the vessel.

It is unlawful to fish for or take and retain any species while possessing onboard any species not allowed to be taken in that area at the time. New in for all Oregon Subareas During May, Sept, and Oc t , when the sport bottomfish fishery is open to all-depth, bottomfish including lingcod may be retained on all-depth halibut trips.

Longleader gear fishing and species may not be retained with all-depth halibut.