About The Halibut Prairie

The Halibut Prairie is a broad sand flat off Westport, Washington, sitting in outer-exposed water at depths of 180 to 300 feet. The open, featureless bottom holds Pacific Halibut, which peak from March through July, alongside Lingcod that run strongest from February through April. Drift fishing across the flat with herring, squid, salmon bellies, or octopus covers ground and puts bait in front of halibut working the sand. Jigging with metal jigs, leadhead jigs, and swimbaits takes both species, and it remains the go-to approach for lingcod holding on the bottom. At these depths, working baits close to the sand and adjusting drifts to the tide keeps offerings in the strike zone.