It’s a fishing day

California halibut Paralichthys californicus

5 of 25worth the trip today

Best right now at Zuma Beach, California. Water is inside the 55–72° range California halibut like at 8 of the 22 spots with a live reading.

Go 2Worth the trip 3Marginal 4Sit it out 16Click to zoom in, drag to move, right-click to zoom out
Where California halibut score best right now
California Halibut

About California halibut

The signature flatfish of the California coast — a sandy-bottom ambush predator drift-fished with live bait or bounced with jigs along beaches, bays, and channel edges. Bites best on a moving tide.

Paralichthys californicus, family Paralichthyidae.

California halibut, spot by spot

All 25 spots with California halibut in season, scored for California halibut, best first.

Zuma BeachLos Angeles County, CaliforniaCalifornia halibut

72° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide

92Go
Santa Monica State BeachLos Angeles County, CaliforniaCalifornia halibut

72° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide

87Go
Avila BeachSan Luis Obispo County, CaliforniaCalifornia halibut

68° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide

83Worth the trip
Doheny State BeachOrange County, CaliforniaCalifornia halibut

10 mph wind · incoming tide

77Worth the trip
Santa Cruz Main BeachSanta Cruz County, CaliforniaCalifornia halibutSmall Craft Advisory

66° water · 9 mph wind · incoming tide

70Worth the trip
Monterey BayMonterey County, CaliforniaCalifornia halibutSmall Craft Advisory

66° water · 17 mph wind · incoming tide

62Marginal
Pismo BeachSan Luis Obispo County, CaliforniaCalifornia halibutSmall Craft Advisory

68° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide

58Marginal
Morro Bay (Morro Strand State Beach)San Luis Obispo County, CaliforniaCalifornia halibutSmall Craft Advisory

68° water · 10 mph wind · incoming tide

58Marginal
Cayucos State BeachSan Luis Obispo County, CaliforniaCalifornia halibutCoastal Flood Advisory

68° water · 10 mph wind · incoming tide

58Marginal

The water they want

California halibut feed from about 55° to 72°F and best near 64°. Each pin is one spot’s water right now, from NOAA and USGS gauges; 8 of 22 are inside the range.

ideal 64°
55°72°

How they feed

  • Water55–72°F, best near 64°
  • TideIncoming
  • MoonEither
  • DepthUsually 4–60 ft
  • Active monthsMar–Oct

Scored against their own temperature range and tide preference first, then wind, weather and warnings. Solunar periods only break ties. How the score works

Keep or release

  • California22" minimum · 5 a day22" total length minimum. 5/person/day south of Point Sur (Monterey County); 2/day north of it. Open year-round.Pacific waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source

Rules change, and they differ by state and often by water. Each spot page shows the limits for its own water. California halibut are fished at spots in 1 state: California.

Waters with their own rules

These waters set limits for California halibut that differ from the rest of their state.

Fished in the same water

Species people target at the same spots as California halibut, and how they’re doing today.

Barred surfperchAmphistichus argenteus

2 of 19 spots worth the trip

Best now at Avila Beach, CA83

Bites in 50–68° water

Kelp bassParalabrax clathratus

2 of 7 spots worth the trip

Best now at Oceanside Beach, CA73

Bites in 60–74° water

RockfishSebastes spp.

2 of 15 spots worth the trip

Best now at Sitka, AK83

Bites in 45–58° water

LingcodOphiodon elongatus

2 of 13 spots worth the trip

Best now at Sitka, AK83

Bites in 45–58° water