124 



DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



Figure 94 



CALIFORNIA HALIBUT 



Paralichibys californicus 



Relationship: Belongs to family Bothidae. (See page 122.) 



Distinguishing Characters: See page 122. The high arch in the lateral line over 

 the pectoral fin; the lack of a dorsal branch to the lateral line; the large jaws which 

 are about equally developed on both sides; the moderately strong sharp teeth; the 

 maxillary which reaches to or beyond the hind border of the lower eye ; about 100 

 scales in the lateral line ; the pectoral fin on the eyed side being aliout one-half the 

 length of the head; the small eyes with a rather wide, flat area between them. Eyes 

 on either the right or the left side of the body. Length to three feet and weight to 

 60 pounds. Color: Greenish or grayish brown, sometimes mottled with darker and 

 lighter shades, sometimes with small vague whitish spots, especially in young fish. 



Distribution: Central California south into the Gulf of California. 



Fishing Season: Taken throughout the year, with heaviest California catches 

 usually made in the early months of the year. Heaviest Mexican catches are usually 

 landed in the late summer and fall. 



Importance: Eighteenth in poundage and fifteenth in value among California's 

 fisheries in 1940. About a third of the catch was taken in Mexican waters. Heaviest 

 local catches have been made in the Santa Barliara area in recent years. One of the 

 most desirable sport species in Southern California, it ranked third in total sport 

 catch in 1946. 



Fishing Gear: Trammel nets, hook and line, otter trawls. Sportsmen generally 

 use live bait, fishing from boats, barges and piers. 



Unauthorized Names: Halibut, chicken halibut, bastard halibut, southern 

 halibut, Monterey halibut, alabato. 



