Pacific halibut Regulations in Oregon (2026)

Recreational pacific halibut rules in Oregon saltwater, as published by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 6, 2026.

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

Size limit

No length limit.

Season

Closed for the remainder of 2026

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Pacific halibut rules in Oregon

Where: Columbia River Subarea (Cape Falcon, OR to Leadbetter Point, WA) - All-Depth Season (ocean)
Size limit: No length limit.
Possession: Pacific halibut possession limit: 1 daily bag limit at sea, 3 daily bag limits on land.
Season: Closed for the remainder of 2026

It is mandatory to have a functional descending device onboard the vessel when fishing for Pacific halibut, and to use the device when releasing any rockfish species when fishing outside (seaward) of the 30-fathom regulatory line.
May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks, and by spear.
Page updated 2026-10-30.
Daily bag limit Central Oregon Coast and Southern Oregon subareas: 2 Pacific halibut. No length limit.
Daily bag limit Columbia River subarea: 1 Pacific halibut. No length Limit.
Pacific halibut annual limit: 6.
The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (about 15 miles west of Newport) is closed to Pacific halibut fishing. Anglers on vessels possessing Pacific halibut are prohibited from fishing in the Stonewall Bank YRCA, even when targeting legal species.
Pacific halibut seasons are managed and enforced based on port of landing. Halibut may only be landed into ports located within areas currently open to halibut retention, regardless of area of catch.
Seasons are open 'or until the quota is caught'; status left unknown - check quota tracking.

Official source

Where: Central Oregon Coast Subarea (Humbug Mountain to Cape Falcon) - Spring All-Depth Season (ocean)
Size limit: No length limit.
Bag limit: Daily bag limit: 2 Pacific halibut
Possession: Pacific halibut possession limit: 1 daily bag limit at sea, 3 daily bag limits on land.
Season: May 1 through July 31, seven days per week, or until the quota is caught

It is mandatory to have a functional descending device onboard the vessel when fishing for Pacific halibut, and to use the device when releasing any rockfish species when fishing outside (seaward) of the 30-fathom regulatory line.
May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks, and by spear.
Page updated 2026-10-30.
Daily bag limit Central Oregon Coast and Southern Oregon subareas: 2 Pacific halibut. No length limit.
Daily bag limit Columbia River subarea: 1 Pacific halibut. No length Limit.
Pacific halibut annual limit: 6.
The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (about 15 miles west of Newport) is closed to Pacific halibut fishing. Anglers on vessels possessing Pacific halibut are prohibited from fishing in the Stonewall Bank YRCA, even when targeting legal species.
Pacific halibut seasons are managed and enforced based on port of landing. Halibut may only be landed into ports located within areas currently open to halibut retention, regardless of area of catch.
Seasons are open 'or until the quota is caught'; status left unknown - check quota tracking.

Official source

Where: Central Oregon Coast Subarea (Humbug Mountain to Cape Falcon) - Summer All-Depth Season (ocean)
Size limit: No length limit.
Bag limit: Daily bag limit: 2 Pacific halibut
Possession: Pacific halibut possession limit: 1 daily bag limit at sea, 3 daily bag limits on land.
Season: August 1 through October 31, seven days per week, or until the quota is caught

It is mandatory to have a functional descending device onboard the vessel when fishing for Pacific halibut, and to use the device when releasing any rockfish species when fishing outside (seaward) of the 30-fathom regulatory line.
May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks, and by spear.
Page updated 2026-10-30.
Daily bag limit Central Oregon Coast and Southern Oregon subareas: 2 Pacific halibut. No length limit.
Daily bag limit Columbia River subarea: 1 Pacific halibut. No length Limit.
Pacific halibut annual limit: 6.
The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (about 15 miles west of Newport) is closed to Pacific halibut fishing. Anglers on vessels possessing Pacific halibut are prohibited from fishing in the Stonewall Bank YRCA, even when targeting legal species.
Pacific halibut seasons are managed and enforced based on port of landing. Halibut may only be landed into ports located within areas currently open to halibut retention, regardless of area of catch.
Seasons are open 'or until the quota is caught'; status left unknown - check quota tracking.

Official source

Where: Central Oregon Coast Subarea (Humbug Mountain to Cape Falcon) - Nearshore Season (if either all-depth season closes early; shore to the 40-fathom regulatory line) (ocean)
Size limit: No length limit.
Bag limit: Daily bag limit: 2 Pacific halibut
Possession: Pacific halibut possession limit: 1 daily bag limit at sea, 3 daily bag limits on land.
Season: May 1 through October 31, seven days per week, or until the quota is caught

It is mandatory to have a functional descending device onboard the vessel when fishing for Pacific halibut, and to use the device when releasing any rockfish species when fishing outside (seaward) of the 30-fathom regulatory line.
May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks, and by spear.
Page updated 2026-10-30.
Daily bag limit Central Oregon Coast and Southern Oregon subareas: 2 Pacific halibut. No length limit.
Daily bag limit Columbia River subarea: 1 Pacific halibut. No length Limit.
Pacific halibut annual limit: 6.
The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (about 15 miles west of Newport) is closed to Pacific halibut fishing. Anglers on vessels possessing Pacific halibut are prohibited from fishing in the Stonewall Bank YRCA, even when targeting legal species.
Pacific halibut seasons are managed and enforced based on port of landing. Halibut may only be landed into ports located within areas currently open to halibut retention, regardless of area of catch.
Seasons are open 'or until the quota is caught'; status left unknown - check quota tracking.

Official source

Where: Southern Oregon Subarea (OR/CA Border to Humbug Mountain) (ocean)
Size limit: No length limit.
Bag limit: Daily bag limit: 2 Pacific halibut
Possession: Pacific halibut possession limit: 1 daily bag limit at sea, 3 daily bag limits on land.
Season: May 1 through October 31, seven days per week, or until the quota is caught

It is mandatory to have a functional descending device onboard the vessel when fishing for Pacific halibut, and to use the device when releasing any rockfish species when fishing outside (seaward) of the 30-fathom regulatory line.
May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks, and by spear.
Page updated 2026-10-30.
Daily bag limit Central Oregon Coast and Southern Oregon subareas: 2 Pacific halibut. No length limit.
Daily bag limit Columbia River subarea: 1 Pacific halibut. No length Limit.
Pacific halibut annual limit: 6.
The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (about 15 miles west of Newport) is closed to Pacific halibut fishing. Anglers on vessels possessing Pacific halibut are prohibited from fishing in the Stonewall Bank YRCA, even when targeting legal species.
Pacific halibut seasons are managed and enforced based on port of landing. Halibut may only be landed into ports located within areas currently open to halibut retention, regardless of area of catch.
Seasons are open 'or until the quota is caught'; status left unknown - check quota tracking.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule

Where: Ocean
Size limit: It is unlawful to take any Pacific halibut that with head on is less than 32 inches as measured in a straight line, passing over the pectoral fin, from the tip of the lower jaw with the mouth closed, to the extreme end of the middle of the tail.
Season: The commercial season and regulations will be set early in the year by NMFS.

Salmon troll vessels (https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/docs/2026%20TROLL%20Seasons.pdf): Incidental Troll Halibut: 1 Pacific Halibut per each 2 Chinook landed up to 35 halibut per trip (1 halibut may be landed without meeting the ratio).
A free permit (with application fee) is required for all commercial vessels which retain Pacific halibut.
All Pacific halibut caught in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A (Washington, Oregon, and California) must be landed with their heads on.
ODFW 2026 Oregon Commercial Fishing Regulations Synopsis: condensed form of the OAR 'for the convenience of the commercial harvester and is not intended to replace the laws or administrative rules'; rules are subject to change during the year.

Official source

Quick answers

What is the pacific halibut size limit in Oregon?

No length limit. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is pacific halibut season in Oregon?

Closed for the remainder of 2026. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Pacific halibut limits in other states →

More groundfish & flatfish in Oregon

All Oregon saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a Oregon saltwater license or registry: get one here.