Atlantic Halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
How to tell it
Giant right-facing flatfish with a concave, crescent tail and a big toothy mouth.
- Not a summer flounder? That one left-facing, rounded tail, eye-spots. (Summer Flounder)
- Not a winter flounder? That one small mouth, small fish. (Winter Flounder)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConnecticutFederal rule (New England federal waters) | 41 in total length | 1 per vessel per trip | Open year-roundNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maine | 41" min | 5 per vessel per year (25 charter) | May 18 - Jun 13, no fishing Wednesdays or ThursdaysME DMR 2026 · checked | Closed |
| MassachusettsFederal rule (New England federal waters) | 41 in total length | 1 per vessel per trip | Open year-roundNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Hampshire | 41 in TL min | 1 fish per trip/vessel | Open year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode IslandFederal rule (New England federal waters) | 41 in total length | 1 per vessel per trip | Open year-roundNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 215 lb | 1965 · Bailey Island | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 321 lb | 1965 · Massachusetts Bay | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Superb.
In the app
Point the camera at a atlantic halibut and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about atlantic halibut
What is the size limit for atlantic halibut?
It depends on the state. Connecticut: 41 in total length; Maine: 41" min; Massachusetts: 41 in total length; New Hampshire: 41 in TL min; Rhode Island: 41 in total length.
How many atlantic halibut can you keep?
Connecticut: 1 per vessel per trip; Maine: 5 per vessel per year (25 charter); Massachusetts: 1 per vessel per trip; New Hampshire: 1 fish per trip/vessel; Rhode Island: 1 per vessel per trip.
When is atlantic halibut season?
Maine: May 18 - Jun 13, no fishing Wednesdays or Thursdays.
How do you tell atlantic halibut from summer flounder?
Atlantic Halibut has this: Giant right-facing flatfish with a concave, crescent tail and a big toothy mouth.. Summer Flounder left-facing, rounded tail, eye-spots.
What is the record atlantic halibut?
321 lb in Massachusetts (1965), Massachusetts Bay. Other states’ records are in the table.