Alaska Halibut Size, Weight, and Yield Information

Halibut size and weight information, as well as yield can be accurately estimated from measure of its length thanks to research completed by the International Pacific Halibut Commission. 

Halibut research confirms that the majority of large halibut are female. In fact, any halibut larger than 21 lbs is more than likely a male. And, the bigger they get the more assuredly that is the case. You will see a lot of places promoting the idea that only fish 80 to 100 lbs and larger are female. Take a look at the following informational page, written by NOAA, titled 7 Reasons Why Size Matters For Halibut. Point #5 indicates that males rarely reach 3′ in size, or 36 inches in length. By using the chart below you can see that a 36″ halibut would only weigh in at 15 lbs. This since information is further supported by The Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

 

Anglers using tape measures to determine the length of halibut brought onboard Orion

How To Measure Halibut Length

Diagram showing the proper way to measure a halibut from the tip of the lower jaw with the mouth closed, to the extreme end of the middle of the Tail

When measuring the length of a halibut we use a flexible tape. 

The measurement is made 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

 

Alaska Halibut Size, Weight, and Yield Chart

Length (inches)Live Weight (lbs)Dressed Weight (lbs)Length (inches)Live Weight (lbs)Dressed Weight (lbs)Length (inches)Live Weight (lbs)Dressed Weight (lbs)
182.21.64542.832.269171.2128.7
203.12.3464634.670179.4134.9
224.23.24749.337.171187.8141.2
245.64.24852.739.772196.5147.7
256.44.84956.542.573205.5154.5
267.25.45060.345.374214.8161.5
278.26.25164.348.375224.3168.6
289.26.95268.551.576234.1176
2910.37.85372.854.877244.3183.7
3011.58.75477.458.278254.7191.5
3112.89.65582.161.779265.4199.5
3214.210.7568765.580276.5207.9
3315.711.85792.269.381287.8216.4
3417.3135897.573.382299.5225.2
351914.359103.177.583311.5234.2
3620.815.660108.981.884323.8243.4
3722.717.161114.886.386349.5262.8
3824.818.662121.19188376.5283.1
392720.363127.595.890404.9304.4
4029.32264134.2100.992434.8326.9
4131.723.865141.1106.194466.2350.5
4234.325.866148.2111.596499.1375.3
433727.867155.611798533.6401.2
4439.93068163.3122.8100569.7428.4

Halibut World Records

Did you know that Alaska holds every single world record for halibut? Take a look at the world record table found below.

All-Tackle World Record

Line-ClassWeightLocationCatch DateAngler
All-Tackle459 lbsDutch Harbor, AKJune 11, 1996Jack Tragis

Mens World Records

Line ClassWeightLocationCatch DateAngler
2 lb72 lb 3 ozCook Inlet, AKJuly 7, 1994George Hogan
4 lb89 lb 0 ozKodiak, AKAugust 2, 1994Robert Stoky
6 lb124 lb 0 ozKodiak, AKAugust 6, 1997Paul Leader
8 lb244 lb 0 ozBasket Bay, AKAugust 18, 1988Gene Grimes
16 b228 lb 0 ozDutch Harbor, AKJune 25, 1999Hunter von Leer
20 lb242 lb 6 ozFunter Bay, Juneau, AKJuly 27, 1988Greg Anderson
30 lb356 lb 8 ozCastineau Channel, Juneau, AKNovember 8, 1986Gregory Olsen
50 lb344 lb 0 ozThomas Bay, Petersburg, AKSeptember 13, 1986Gordon Newhouse
80 lb413 lb 0 ozUnalaska, AKJuly 6, 2002James Johnson
130 lb459 lb 0 ozDutch Harbor, AKJune 11, 1996Jack Tragis

Womens World Records

Line ClassWeightLocationCatch DateAngler
2 lb28 lb 0 ozGlacier Bay, AKAugust 22, 2003Marjorie Cushman
4 lb70 lb 0 ozYasha Island, AKJuly 25, 1991Dorothy Loros
6 lb88 lb 0 ozKodiak Island, AKAugust 01, 1996Sally Magnuson
8 lb123 lb 0 ozBasket Bay, AKAugust 12, 1988Susan Grimes
12 lb151 lb 0 ozMarmot Bay, AKAugust 6, 2002Sally Magnuson
16 lb222 lb 0 ozDutch Harbor, AKJune 24, 1998Fariba Zand
20 lb285 lb 0 ozDutch Harbor, AKAugust 9, 2000Kathleen Rounds
30 lb228 lb 0 ozGustavus, Glacier Bay, AKSeptember 6, 2012Kathleen Rounds
50 lb264 lb 0 ozSt. Lazaria Island, AKAugust 24, 1986Elaine Loopstra
80 lb368 lb 0 ozGustavus, AKJuly 5, 1991Celia Dueitt
130 lb242 lb 0 ozDutch Harbor, AKJune 28, 1999Diane Buckley

Ready To Book?

Choose Your Fishing Adventure!​

3/4-Day Halibut

$275 May & September
$325 June, July, August

  • Meet 7:30 AM For 8:00 AM Departure
  • 5 – 7 Hours Duration
  • 45 – 70 minutes to fishing grounds
Drifters lodge staff show off their limits of halibut caught aboard Orion with Captain Jimmy Counts of Homer Halibut Hunters

Full-Day Halibut

$350 May & September
$400 June, July, August

  • Meet 6:30 AM For 7:00 AM Departure
  • 8 – 9 Hours Duration
  • 1 – 1.5 hours to fishing grounds
Homer Halibut Hunter customers show off a massive haul of barn-door halibut,

Trophy Halibut & Rockfish

$400 May & September
$450 June, July, August

  • Meet 6:30 AM For 7:00 AM Departure
  • 8 – 9 Hours Duration
  • 1.5 – 2 hours to fishing grounds
6 massive halibut are hanging with anglers smiling behind them

Halibut & Salmon

$400 May & September
$450 June, July, August

  • Meet 6:30 AM For 7:00 AM Departure
  • 6 – 8 Hours Duration
  • 1 – 1.5 hours to fishing grounds
Two anglers hold up three yelloweye rockfish caught in Kachemak Bay, Homer Alaska

Triple Threat: Halibut,
Rockfish & Salmon

$450 May & September
$500 June, July, August

  • Meet 6:30 AM For 7:00 AM Departure
  • 9 – 10 Hours Duration
  • 2 – 2.5 hours to fishing grounds
Homer Halibut Hunters customer holds a huge Kachemak Bay King Salmon

Salmon & Rockfish
(Wednesday Only)

$400 May & September
$450 June, July, August

  • Meet 6:30 AM For 7:00 AM Departure
  • 8 – 9 Hours Duration
  • 1.5 – 2 hours to fishing grounds