Pacific Halibut Fishing In Alaska

Pacific Halibut Fishing

Pacific Halibut fishing at Rainbow King is a unique adventure. We fly out to the Pacific ocean and land at Calypso Bay. We keep several skiffs at Calypso Bay for those that might want to enjoy the challenge of fishing for Pacific Halibut. Calypso Bay is relatively shallow by halibut standards, so huge weights and strong currents are not a problem. We have all the needed deep-sea tackle for a day’s fly-out to Calypso Bay.

Pacific halibut is the largest species of flatfish. It is native to the North Pacific Ocean and is fished by commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishermen. Huge Pacific halibut, sometimes called “barn doors”, can attain a length of over 8 feet and a width of over 5 feet. Halibut are born swimming like salmon, with eyes on either side of their head. As they grow (by the time they are six months old), one eye migrates to the right side and the young halibut begin swimming sideways, with both eyes on the top of their bodies. Their large size and delectable meat make them a popular and prized target for sport fishermen.

The Pacific halibut stock is managed under the Pacific Halibut treaty between Canada and the United States. The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is responsible for assessing the status of the stocks and setting harvest strategies and catch limits that provide for optimum yield.

Quick Facts

  • Size
    Length to over 8 feet, weight to over 500 lb
  • Lifespan
    55 years (males and females)
  • Distribution/Range
    California to the Bering Sea, west to the Sea of Japan
  • Remarks
    Both eyes on the right (upper side), with rare exceptions
  • Other Names
    Large halibut are “barn doors,” small halibut are “chickens.”
Fly Out to Halibut Fishing
Halibut Fishing at Rainbow King