Where to Fish for Pacific Halibut Today

The giant flatfish of the North Pacific — the premier saltwater quarry from Homer to Sitka, where "barn-door" halibut can exceed 300 lb. Caught on the bottom in deep water with heavy gear and bait, it is managed coast-wide by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, so daily limits and size rules are set annually and differ for guided vs. unguided anglers.

Preferred conditions

Water temp: 37–55°F (ideal 45°F)
Tide: either
Moon: either
Depth: 60–600 ft
Active months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Best pacific halibut conditions today

Sort Open harvest only

Homer / Kachemak Bay

Kenai Peninsula Borough Co., AK

90/100

Sitka

Sitka Borough Co., AK

56/100

Regulations by jurisdiction

AK

pacific

Creel: 2

IPHC Area 3A (Southcentral, incl. Homer): unguided anglers 2 halibut/day, no size limit. Guided (charter) anglers in 3A are limited to 2/day within a reverse-slot (≤34" or ≥80"). Southeast (Area 2C) charter anglers have a one-fish daily size rule. Set annually by the IPHC.

Source · verified 2026-06-03