Halibut Fishing in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Halibut is a very popular saltwater sports fish because of its tenacious fighting ability and its delicious taste. While these fish can be found throughout the Pacific Ocean, the state of Alaska in particular is well known for having an abundance of good angling opportunities. Dutch Harbor, made famous by the Discovery Channel show "The Deadliest Catch," is also home to some of the best halibut fishing in the world.

  1. Geography

    • Dutch Harbor is the harbor in the town of Unalaska. Unalaska is located in the Aleutian Islands and serves as a jumping-off point for boats fishing the Bering Sea. The town is technically based on two islands, with Dutch Harbor on Amaknak Island.

    Identification

    • Halibut are easily identified. Nicknamed "barn doors" because of their long but very flat bodies, when turned on the side they do have the appearance of a thin sliding barn door. They are grayish with some black on top and white on their bottoms. Halibut are the largest flat fish in the world, and on average fall in the 25 to 45 pound range, although halibut of over 400 pounds have been caught in Alaska.

    Licenses & Regulations

    • Regulations on how many halibut can be kept daily can vary from year to year, so always check locally to find out for sure. In 2010, the allowed limit is two per day. Sports fishing licenses are required of anyone 16 or older. As of 2010, residents could pick up a yearly license for $24. Nonresidents can choose 1, 3, 7 or 14-day licenses or an annual license. Prices for these range from $20 to $140.

    Guided Charters

    • Several guided charters in Unalaska offer halibut fishing services. Prices can vary, but they often include a one-day license, skinning and packaging of the fish meat and other services. Most charters require a flat fee per person, per day. Paid charter operations are the way to go not only because of their local knowledge of the best halibut spots but because the Bering Sea can be dangerous and having an experienced captain can make all the difference.

    Cooking Halibut

    • Halibut is an extremely white meat, and most fish recipes dealing with whitefish will work well for halibut. A main point to remember is that halibut has little natural oil, so grilling or baking should be done with a baste to prevent the meat from getting too dry. Using a fryer is a popular method for cooking "halibut nuggets."