Species guide · Washington

Pacific halibut fishing in Washington

Hippoglossus stenolepis, a bottom species also called halibut, butt and chicken halibut. Listed for the Pacific Northwest region.

Where it's scoring now All Washington waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Pacific Northwest

Jan: Not present
Feb: Not present
Mar: Off season
Apr: Shoulder season
May: Peak season
Jun: Peak season
Jul: Peak season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Off season
Nov: Not present
Dec: Not present

Peak: May to Jul. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Sep.

Research notes, Pacific Northwest region

Area 2A quota fishery. Washington 2026: Puget Sound from early April, coast from Apr 30, most areas through late June with a second opener in mid to late August. Oregon Central Coast 2026: spring all-depth May 1 to Jul 31, summer all-depth Aug 1 to Oct 31, nearshore inside 40 fathoms May 1 to Oct 31, all subject to quota.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 0

The Waterlands engine isn't scoring pacific halibut in any Washington bay system in the current 14-day forecast, which usually means the species is out of season.

Not scored in this forecast: Admiralty Inlet, Central U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca, Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville Out 10 Nm, East Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca, Grays Harbor Bar, Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands, Puget Sound and Hood Canal and West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 36°F to 54°F, best between 39°F and 47°F.
Water depth: 50 to 600 ft of water.
Structure: Bank, ledge, bar, pinnacle, channel, shoal and canyon, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers high tide and low tide, with slack current.ADF&G says the best halibut fishing is just before, during and after slack tide, when bait stays on the bottom and fish move out from cover to feed. Smaller tide series are easier to fish. When anchored on moving water, bait spreads a scent trail down-current that draws fish in.
Light: Little tied to dawn and dusk.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 20 kt of wind and 7 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Halibut sit on sand and gravel bottoms near drop-offs, bars and pinnacles, most often in 90 to 500 feet in Alaska and on the shelf off Washington, Oregon and far northern California. Anchor up-current of a likely edge and fish herring, squid, octopus or a salmon head on a circle hook with 24 to 32 ounces of weight, or bounce a large jig on the bottom. The best bite usually comes in the hour around slack tide.

Methods: bottom fishing at anchor, drift fishing, jigging
Lures: large lead-head jigs with shad or curly-tail bodies, plastic squid or hoochie skirts over bait, flashy metal spoon jigs, glow jig bodies
Bait: herring, salmon heads and bellies, octopus, squid, salmon viscera

Regulations

WDFW saltwater regulations Buy a Washington fishing license License types

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with WDFW Nov 2, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.

Marine Area 1Closed

No retention

Season: Oct 1 to Dec 31, 2026

Changes to check regulations on Jan 1, 2027

The 2026 recreational halibut season in Washington ended Sept. 30. WDFW's halibut rules conform to federal regulations; NOAA Fisheries states the Washington and Columbia River subareas close on Sept. 30, 2026.

NOAA Fisheries inseason action, 2026 Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan (Federal Register, July 27, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Marine Area 2Closed

No retention

Season: Oct 1 to Dec 31, 2026

Changes to check regulations on Jan 1, 2027

NOAA Fisheries inseason action, 2026 Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan (Federal Register, July 27, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Marine Area 3Closed

No retention

Season: Oct 1 to Dec 31, 2026

Changes to check regulations on Jan 1, 2027

NOAA Fisheries inseason action, 2026 Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan (Federal Register, July 27, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Marine Area 4Closed