California Halibut - What to know, when & where to get it
California halibut, not to be confused with Pacific halibut, is a species of flatfish found in abundance in Monterey Bay.
A prized catch for both commercial and recreational fishermen, California halibut is fun to catch and delicious to eat. With its mild flavor, smooth texture, and large flakes, it is an easy and versatile fish to prepare. Whether your tendencies for seasoning are simple or more experimental, California halibut takes on flavor beautifully and can either be an accouterment to a dish or the star.
Buying halibut off the boat in Santa Cruz. Photo credit: Cody Reed, F/V Ruth Ann
Life of the Halibut
When we visualize fish, we often think of a child’s drawing of an oval body and triangle-shaped fins. While basic, this drawing is an accurate depiction of most fish, including the larval stage of California halibut. At the beginning of life, these fish look like most other fish, but after the first 30 days of life, one eye begins to migrate around to join the other eye on a single side of the body.
The fun doesn’t stop there, though! More often than not, the “eyed,” upper side of the California halibut is brown or brown-black. However, when needed, the halibut can change its skin color to better camouflage against the seafloor, a useful tool when being hunted or hunting.
To the layperson, these fish may not look that scary, but looks can be deceiving. California halibut are voracious ambush predators with large mouths and sharp teeth that allow them to prey almost exclusively on anchovies and other small fish.
California halibut vary in size and weight, but can grow up to five feet long, and weigh up to 72 pounds. These fish are also very hardy and can live long lives. Males and females mature between two to five years, and can live to be 30! They are also often well-traveled, spending time in rich estuaries, shallow coastal shelves, and in the deep dark depths of offshore waters, making them all the more rewarding when you finally find one on your hook!
Photo credit: Cody Reed, F/V Ruth Ann
The fishery and management
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) manages California halibut to ensure that populations are fished sustainably. The fishery is open year-round for commercial hook and line fishermen, and from early summer to mid-spring for trawl fishermen. Fishermen are also restricted to minimum size limits, which correlate with the age of the fish and the likeliness of spawning before potentially being caught. California halibut trawl fishermen are further restricted from fishing in certain areas to limit disturbance to sensitive seafloor habitat and spawning grounds.
A note for consumers— though the fishery is open year-round, don’t expect to see California halibut on every local menu and in every seafood counter. These critters move frequently and are most abundant locally in the spring through early fall.
Curious where you might find local California halibut and how best to prepare it? Check out our Local Catch Guide and our Seafood Recipes and Tips page.