Halibut, Norway, 21 April to 19 December
Halibut fishing in Norway: where, when and what is allowed
Rules first, then the drift: halibut only north of 62° N and not from 20 December to 20 April. Four signals to start with.
Read the water
Before your first drift
- Rule Only north of 62° N, roughly from the Stad peninsula northwards, and from 21 April to 19 December. South of it halibut fishing is banned all year.
- Bottom Halibut live on the bottom. Sand and gravel flats next to rocky edges are the classic drifts.
- Current Tidal current in sounds and along island chains carries bait fish past. Fish the hours with current.
- Food Where saithe, herring or cod hold, halibut hunt. Shoals on the sonar are a good sign.
Start zones
Three places to begin
- Shallow sand flat Drift slowly with the lure just above the bottom.
- Drop-off to deep water Where shallow turns deep, halibut wait for passing prey.
- Sound with current Start in narrows while the tide runs, switch to the flats at slack water.
Never haul a big halibut into a small boat alive. Wear a life jacket, it is mandatory on boats up to 8 m.
Lures and retrieve
Big and close to the bottom
- Large soft lure Hop it over the bottom on a heavy jig head and keep contact.
- Deadbait Whole herring or mackerel on a bottom rig, slowly in the drift.
- Pirk Lift it off the bottom in long sweeps and let it sink again.
Minimum size 84 cm and 7.2 kg. Every halibut over 2 m must go straight back, even if it is dead. To take fish home, the export limit per person applies.
Quick questions
Where can I fish for halibut in Norway?
Only north of 62° N, roughly from the Stad peninsula northwards. South of it fishing for halibut is banned all year (Høstingsforskriften § 39).
When is the halibut closed season in Norway?
North of 62° N from 20 December up to and including 20 April. So halibut fishing there is allowed from 21 April to 19 December.
What is the minimum size for halibut in Norway?
The minimum size is 84 cm and 7.2 kg. Halibut over 2 m, or over 1.6 m without the head, must go straight back into the sea, alive or dead.
Sources (3)
- Lovdata: Høstingsforskriften §§ 39, 47, 51Checked on 20.10.2026
- Fiskeridirektoratet: Release of halibutChecked on 20.10.2026
- Fiskeridirektoratet: Kveite, utkastpåbod og forbod mot fiskeChecked on 20.10.2026
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More fishing tips
Everything here is a rule of thumb from practice, not a guarantee. Lures are named as a group, not as a brand.
Licence, export and boating rules for visitors, with sources: Fishing licence Norway
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