Species profile
Pacific Halibut
Hippoglossus stenolepis
Identify Pacific Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 9 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Pacific Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) is a 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 6 (Oregon).
Confirmed by 313 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- One of the largest flatfish on Earth, capable of exceeding 8 feet and 400 pounds.
- Can live up to 55 years; older, larger females produce far more eggs than young ones.
- Larvae hatch swimming upright; the left eye migrates to the right side within their first year.
- Firm, mild white flesh makes Pacific halibut one of the most commercially valuable North Pacific fish.
Where Pacific Halibut are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Pacific Halibut
Background
Hippoglossus stenolepis, the Pacific halibut, is a species of righteye flounder. This very large species of flatfish is native to the North Pacific and is fished by commercial fisheries, sport fishers, and subsistence fishers.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Pacific Halibut article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Pacific Halibut?
Pacific Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) is a bony-fish species regulated in 10 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Pacific Halibut?
Pacific Halibut is Hippoglossus stenolepis.
Is Pacific Halibut regulated for fishing?
Yes — Pacific Halibut has fishing regulations in 9 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 Pacific Halibut?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Pacific 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.