Federal rule (New England federal waters) · Rhode Island lists none of its own
One fish per BOAT per trip, not per angler.
NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
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.
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 ask4
What is the size limit for Atlantic halibut in Rhode Island?
41 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many Atlantic halibut can you keep in Rhode Island?
1 per vessel per trip.
When is Atlantic halibut season in Rhode Island?
Open year-round.
How current is this Rhode Island Atlantic halibut rule?
Source: NOAA GARFO 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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