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Atlantic Halibut Regulations in Maine (2026)

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Recreational atlantic halibut rules in Maine saltwater, as published by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Last checked November 7, 2026.

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Size limit
Minimum size 41 inches.
Bag limit
Vessels may land no more than 5 fish (recreational) / 25 fish…
Season
Halibut can be retained from sunrise on May 18 through sunset on June…

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Recreational Atlantic Halibut rules in Maine

Where
Maine territorial waters
Size limit
Minimum size 41 inches.
Bag limit
Vessels may land no more than 5 fish (recreational) / 25 fish (charter) per year. All retained fish shall immediately be tagged with an approved landings tag.
Season
Halibut can be retained from sunrise on May 18 through sunset on June 13th. No fishing on Wednesdays and Thursdays (no harvesting or gear in the water).

Official source

Where
Federal waters
Size limit
Minimum size 41 inches.
Bag limit
No season, no more than 1 fish per day.
Season
No season

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule
Where
Maine territorial waters
Size limit
It shall be illegal to land, sell, or possess any Atlantic Halibut which measures less than 41 inches in total length or for a fish with the head removed, 32 inches in pectoral length. Except for removing the fish’s head, Atlantic Halibut must remain intact until reaching the point of sale at a dealer facility or at the consumer’s property.
Bag limit
Commercial, party, or charter vessels may land no more than 25 Atlantic Halibut per year.
Season
The open season to fish for Atlantic Halibut in Maine’s territorial waters shall begin at sunrise May 18th and end at sunset June 13th. Within Maine’s territorial waters, it shall be unlawful to fish for Atlantic halibut on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It shall be unlawful to land Atlantic halibut within the State on Wednesdays and Thursdays, except that Federal Northeast multispecies permit holders or recreational fishermen may land Atlantic halibut on Wednesdays and Thursdays provided those halibut are caught in federal waters and are immediately tagged with the appropriate federal commercial landing tag or recreational landing tag.
  • It shall be illegal to fish for Atlantic Halibut in Maine’s territorial waters by any method other than using size 14/0, 15/0 or 16/0 circle hooks.
  • No vessel may fish for Atlantic Halibut using more than 200 circle hooks.
  • It shall be illegal to possess or land marine species other than Atlantic Halibut while fishing for Atlantic Halibut aboard commercial vessels in Maine’s territorial waters. Other marine species caught while fishing for Atlantic Halibut shall be immediately liberated.
  • Commercial halibut fishermen must obtain a Commercial Halibut License. Commercial Halibut License holders must declare the vessel at the time of license issuance or renewal, to which that license holder’s tags will be allocated. The license holder may only fish for halibut from the vessel that was declared at the time of license issuance or renewal and to which that license holders’ tags were allocated.
  • State Commercial tags will be issued to Commercial Halibut License holders without a Federal permit fishing in Maine’s territorial waters.
  • For vessels which have been assigned State commercial landings tags for Atlantic Halibut, it shall be illegal to possess Atlantic Halibut when operating seaward of Maine’s territorial waters.

Official source

Quick answers

What is the atlantic halibut size limit in Maine?

Minimum size 41 inches. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many atlantic halibut can I keep in Maine?

Vessels may land no more than 5 fish (recreational) / 25 fish (charter) per year. All retained fish shall immediately be tagged with an approved landings tag. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is atlantic halibut season in Maine?

Halibut can be retained from sunrise on May 18 through sunset on June 13th. No fishing on Wednesdays and Thursdays (no harvesting or gear in the water).. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

More groundfish & flatfish in Maine

All Maine saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: Maine Department of Marine Resources. Most anglers need a Maine saltwater license or registry: get one here.