Cartwright Sound, known locally as Skidegate Point, provides anglers with a variety of areas for the bottom fishing experience.  The area is abundant with lingcod and Yellow eye (red snapper) rockfish, and anglers will enjoy catching these species while bottom fishing for Halibut. Haida Style provides guests with a hands on experience, making them apart of the action. Guests will learn bottom fishing techniques that build confidence and skill. Though we will release the larger female Halibut in the area, it is the 30-75lb Halibut that provide the best taste and consistency when prepared, packaged and served. 

Xaagu Warrior: Conserving Our Spawning Female Halibut

Haida Style Expeditions challenges and recognizes those anglers who release the larger Lingcod and Halibut ground fish species. Halibut and Lingcod are not subject to decompression issues when reeled to the surface from deeper depths, and both species face low mortality levels when released carefully. As a conservation measure, the International Pacific Halibut Commission, Sport Fishing Advisory Board and Department of Fisheries and Oceans implemented of a maximum size regulation, which was put in place to conserve the declining biomass of larger spawning female Halibut.

Facts about Halibut

The Pacific Halibut, scientific name (Hippoglossus stenolepis), known as (Xaagu) in Haida translation. The Pacific Halibut fishery is a jointly managed approach from the United States and Canadian governments.  Established in 1923, the (IPHC) International Pacific Halibut Commission, a convention between governments, continues a mandate of scientific research and management of Halibut stocks. The Pacific Halibut range extends from The Bering Sea Alaska, South through British Columbia,Washington state, Oregon, and Northern California waters.  Halibut, the largest flat fish bottom dweller in the world, prefer shallow waters for summer feeding and deeper waters along the continental shelf for spawning in the winter.

First harvested by First Nations throughout the Pacific Northwest for sustenance and trade, Halibut later became commercialized in the early 1890’s. Halibut is high in protein and a sought after delicacy and sustenance for Commercial and Recreational user groups.

Haida TRANSLATIONs

  • Skidegate Haida: Xaagu
  • Old Masset Haida: Xagu

Halibut Facts

  • Halibut spawning period, November-February
  • Maximum weight, approx 500lbs, (230kg)
  • Males mature 7-8 years, Females 8-12
  • Spawning 200-300 Fathoms
  • Females grow faster and live longer than Males
  • Younger Halibut highly migratory, Older less
  • Max recorded age 55 years old (est)
  • Males between 40-60lb range
  • 50lb (23kg) Female=500,000 eggs, 250lb (113kg) over 4 million eggs.
  • Spawn in upper water column, better egg dispersal, up to 6 months free floating through the North West currents.
  • Larger Halibut found in the Pacific Northwest