Maine state waters, out to 3 miles
Retained halibut must be tagged immediately with an approved Maine landings tag; 14/0-16/0 circle hooks required, max 100 hooks per person and vessel; federal waters allow 1 per day year-round.
ME DMR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
One fish per BOAT per trip, not per angler.
NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Often mistaken for
Summer flounderLeft-facing, rounded tail, eye-spots. Tell them apart
Winter flounderSmall mouth, small fish. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Maine state record
Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Giant right-facing flatfish with a concave, crescent tail and a big toothy mouth. More on the Atlantic halibut page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic halibut in other states5 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic halibut in Maine?
41" min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many Atlantic halibut can you keep in Maine?
5 per vessel per year (25 charter).
When is Atlantic halibut season in Maine?
May 18 - Jun 13, no fishing Wednesdays or Thursdays. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is closed.
What is the Maine record Atlantic halibut?
215 lb, Bailey Island (1965).
How current is this Maine Atlantic halibut rule?
Source: ME DMR 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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