Pacific Halibut
The Giants of the Deep
These large flatfish are a highlight of bottom fishing around Telegraph Cove, known for their impressive size and excellent table fare. As the largest flatfish in the world, Pacific Halibut offer anglers the chance at truly trophy-sized catches.
Migratory Patterns
Adults migrate seasonally, moving to deep water (600 to 1,500 feet) along the continental shelf edge to spawn in the winter, and returning to shallower feeding grounds in the summer.
Young halibut are highly migratory, generally moving in a clockwise direction (east and south) in the Gulf of Alaska.
How They Live
Halibut are the largest flatfish in the world. They are demersal, living on or near the ocean floor, preferring sandy, muddy, or gravel bottoms.
They are ambush predators, feeding on fish, crabs, clams, and octopus.
Females grow much larger and live longer (over 50 years) than males.
Interesting Details
Halibut are born swimming upright with an eye on each side. As they mature, the left eye migrates to the right side of the head, and they begin swimming sideways.
Their top side is mottled dark brown/grey to blend in with the seabed, while the underside is white.
Size & Longevity
Pacific Halibut are remarkable for their size and longevity. Females can grow to over 500 pounds and live for more than 50 years. Males are significantly smaller, typically reaching maximum sizes of 40-50 pounds. The largest Pacific Halibut on record weighed 459 pounds.
Female Maximum
500+ lbs
Male Maximum
40-50 lbs
Regulations (Area 12 / BC Coastwide for 2025)
Note: All retained Halibut must be recorded immediately on your license. The maximum size regulation helps conserve the breeding population of large females.
Best Season
May through September
Summer months offer the best weather and halibut are in shallower, more accessible waters