Species guide · California
California halibut fishing in California
Paralichthys californicus, a bottom species also called halibut, CA halibut and flattie. Listed for the Northern California and Southern California regions. Off season, about 21 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands at 53, one of 11 California bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Off seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Northern California
Off season, about 21 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: May to Aug. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Oct.
Research notes, Northern California region
San Francisco Bay area produces more recreational catch than all other districts combined. CRFS retained catch (2005-2019) north of Point Conception is near zero December through February, climbs in April, and runs highest May through August. Humboldt Bay sees a halibut fishery in some warm (El Nino) years. Open year-round.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Southern California
Shoulder season, about 3 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: May to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to Nov.
Research notes, Southern California region
CRFS retained catch south of Point Conception is spread more evenly than in the north, rising from March and staying high May through September. Adults move to deeper coastal water in winter and females use bays and harbors after spawning.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 11
California bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's california halibut score this hour.
Best window today 2-7 PM (58) · Best day Sun, Nov 8 at 6 AM (62) · 117 named spots
Best window today 2-9 PM (56) · Best day Sun, Nov 8 at 5 PM (64) · 17 named spots
Best window today 8 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 30 named spots
Best window today 8 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 159 named spots
Best window today 2-7 PM (56) · Best day Sun, Nov 8 at 6 AM (64) · 9 named spots
Best window today 8 AM-12 AM (30) · Best day Fri, Nov 13 at 4 PM (35) · 28 named spots
Best window today 8 AM-12 AM (30) · Best day Thu, Nov 12 at 4 PM (35) · 27 named spots
Best window today 8 AM-12 AM (30) · Best day Thu, Nov 12 at 4 PM (35) · 28 named spots
Best window today 8 AM-12 AM (30) · Best day Thu, Nov 12 at 4 PM (35) · 50 named spots
Best window today 8 AM-12 AM (33) · Best day Mon, Nov 16 at 3 PM (55) · 61 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 54°F to 74°F, best between 58°F and 68°F.
- Water depth
- 3 to 120 ft of water.
- Structure
- Flat, bay, estuary, channel, beach, bar and pier, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers incoming tide and high tide, with light current.CDFW lists tides and moon cycles among the factors that move halibut. Drift anglers want a slow steady drift over sand or mud. Guide consensus: in San Francisco Bay the big-swing tides muddy the water and make drifting hard, so smaller tides and the incoming flow of clean ocean water usually fish better.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
California halibut are ambush feeders that lie on sand or mud bottom, mostly in water shallower than 100 feet and often inside bays, harbors and estuaries. Drift or slow-troll a live anchovy or sardine on a sliding sinker rig, or bounce a swimbait along the bottom over flats, channel edges and sandy areas near structure. Keep the bait within a foot or two of the bottom and give a fish time to turn the bait before setting the hook.
- Methods
- drifting live bait, trolling, casting swimbaits, bounce balling, wire-lining, pier and jetty fishing
- Lures
- swimbaits on leadheads, trolled spoons and plugs, bucktail jigs
- Bait
- live anchovy, live sardine, live smelt or shiner perch, frozen squid, herring
Regulations
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Nov 3, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
2 per day · 2 in possession · Minimum 22 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
2 per day · 2 in possession · Minimum 22 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
2 per day · 2 in possession · Minimum 22 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
Minimum 22 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
2 fish north of a line due west magnetic from Point Sur, Monterey County. 5 fish south of that line. The Point Sur line runs due west magnetic, not along a latitude line. Check which side of it you are fishing.
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026
5 per day · 5 in possession · Minimum 22 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026