Species profile
California Halibut
Paralichthys californicus
Identify California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 8 jurisdictions.
At a glance
California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 10 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (British Columbia); the most generous is 25 (Oregon).
Confirmed by 1,087 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Notable details
- California halibut can reach over 5 feet in length and exceed 60 pounds.
- Unlike most flatfish, California halibut can have eyes on either the left or right side of the head.
- Newborn California halibut swim upright like typical fish; one eye migrates across the skull within weeks.
- They bury in sand with only their eyes exposed, ambushing prey with a sudden upward lunge.
- California halibut can live up to 30 years.
Where California Halibut are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for California Halibut
Background
The California halibut or California flounder, Paralichthys californicus, is a large-tooth flounder native to the waters of the Pacific Coast of North America from the Quillayute River in Washington to Magdalena Bay in Baja California. It feeds near shore and is free swimming. It typically weighs 6 to 30 pounds (3 to 23 kg). It is much smaller than the larger and more northern-ranging Pacific…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's California Halibut article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is California Halibut?
California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 10 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for California Halibut?
California Halibut is Paralichthys californicus.
Is California Halibut regulated for fishing?
Yes — California Halibut has fishing regulations in 8 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify California Halibut?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes California Halibut along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.