Atlantic Halibut regulations
Maine · Curated reference from cited public sources · listings, not permission to fish or retain a catch · This selected Maine saltwater reference subset is not a complete rulebook.
SPECIES LINKS
FIELD GUIDE
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
speciesBASICThe largest flatfish in the world, a threatened species owing to slow growth and overfishing. Strong swimmers able to migrate long distances.
HABITAT
Sand, gravel, or clay bottoms at 50–2,000 m (200–6,600 ft) in the northern Atlantic.
SIZE
up to 4.7 m (15 ft) and 320 kg (710 lb)
TEXT CONDENSED FROM WIKIPEDIA, AVAILABLE UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0
Atlantic Halibut identification is educational; species identification does not establish legal applicability for Maine.
- LAST LISTED/REFERENCE LIMITS
- No more than 5 fish per recreational vessel per year (25 fish per charter vessel per year) · minimum 41 inches
- LISTED SEASON WINDOWS
- May 18, 2026 through Jun 13, 2026 · 5 fish listed
- APPLICABILITY
- Maine territorial waters: retainable from sunrise May 18 through sunset June 13; no fishing on Wednesdays and Thursdays, including no harvesting or gear in the water. All retained fish must be tagged. Federal waters: no season and no more than 1 fish per day. Minimum size is 41 inches total length.
- SOURCE AUTHORITY
- Maine Department of Marine Resources, 2026 Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing Regulations (Groundfish and Other Finfish)
UPDATED July 1, 2026 · CHECKED Sep 8, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · EFFECTIVE YEAR 2026
Maine DMR recreational fishing ↗The Maine DMR page is an informational summary; the applicable state regulations are authoritative.
LAUNCH SITES
Curated launch sites in Maine (3)
This reference does not grant permission to fish or retain a catch. Location, method, vessel, species identification, and emergency closures can change what applies. Verify the applicable official rules.