2026 regulation year
California California halibut 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Paralichthys californicus
Last updated
California halibut hold north and south of the Point Sur split, with different bag limits in each zone. They are a flatfish, not the larger Pacific halibut, and 22-in minimum applies statewide.
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Season
Open year-round Open year-round in both zones; bag differs by zone.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 2 / day north of Point Sur; 5 / day south of Point Sur
- Possession
- Equal to daily bag (2 north of Point Sur, 5 south)
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 22 in minimum statewide
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line, gaff, or spearing legal
- No multi-hook bait rigs in some MPAs
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific California waters:
San Francisco Bay
North-of-Point-Sur limit: 22 in minimum, 2 fish per day
Santa Monica Bay
South-of-Point-Sur 5 / day applies
Half Moon Bay
North-of-Point-Sur 2 / day applies
Monterey Bay
North of Point Sur — 2 / day applies
Official source
California Department of Fish and Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Californiafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.
Visit official California fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
California halibut closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to California Department of Fish and Wildlife's emergency-order feed — check it before any California trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is california halibut season in California?
- California keeps california halibut open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
- What is the California bag limit for california halibut?
- The California daily bag limit for california halibut is 2 / day north of Point Sur; 5 / day south of Point Sur. The possession limit is Equal to daily bag (2 north of Point Sur, 5 south). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
- What size california halibut can you keep in California?
- The California size rule for california halibut is 22 in minimum statewide.
- Do you need a license to fish for california halibut in California?
- Yes. California requires a valid fishing license to fish for california halibut, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a California license — compare resident and non-resident California fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for california halibut in California?
- Yes. In California, california halibut fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line, gaff, or spearing legal; No multi-hook bait rigs in some MPAs.
- Do specific California waters have different california halibut rules?
- Yes. 4 named California waters carry rules that override the statewide california halibut regulation, including San Francisco Bay, Santa Monica Bay, Half Moon Bay, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.