Pacific halibut fishing out of Newport runs May through October, on bars 17 to 25 miles due west of Yaquina Bay. Boats fish about 400 to 600 ft, and local rigs are built to reach that bottom. Bar, ramp and marina detail is in the Newport port guide. For the whole coast, see the Pacific Northwest fishing guide.
When Pacific halibut are off Newport
Halibut are fished out of Newport May through October. ODFW sets open days and quota dates; they are covered in the regulations section below.
Biology and the coastwide picture are in our Pacific halibut guide.
The run west and the grounds
The offshore bars sit 17 to 25 miles due west of Newport and Depoe Bay. The table below puts the local numbers side by side.
| Source | Distance | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore bars (local press) | 17 to 25 miles due west | |
| Yaquina Bay Charters | 20 to 30 miles | about 400 to 600 ft |
| Newfin Charters | often over 500 ft | |
| Stonewall Bank | about 15 miles west (ODFW) | about 23 to 520 ft |
Distance and direction
Boats run due west to bars 17 to 25 miles out. Yaquina Bay Charters runs 20 to 30 miles offshore.
Banana Bank, West Lighthouse and North Rockpile
Local press names Banana Bank, West Lighthouse and North Rockpile among the bars 17 to 25 miles west. The ODFW Newport halibut grounds map shows these three along with Chicken Ranch as named Newport grounds.
Chicken Ranch
Chicken Ranch is another named ground off Newport. Lance Fisher runs to the Rock Pile or Chicken Ranch.
Stonewall Bank and the Rock Pile
Stonewall Bank, locally the Rock Pile, lies about 15 miles west of Newport, per ODFW. It rises from 520 ft to about 23 ft at its shallowest point (see the Stonewall Bank depth profile), which makes it the steepest relief on the local chart. At 15 miles, it sits inside the 17 to 25 mile run to the bars.
The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area covers the bank. ODFW sets what is allowed inside; see the regulations section below.
Inshore and closer grounds
Offshore rockfish and lingcod grounds sit in deep water about 10 to 15 miles from shore. Unnamed nearshore inner reefs lie closer in.
How halibut are fished out of Newport
Depth determines the gear, so it comes first.
Depth
Yaquina Bay Charters fishes about 400 to 600 ft. Newfin often fishes over 500 ft.
Line and weight
Local press describes about 500 ft of heavy mono, with small cannonballs taking the rig to the bottom. Rigging detail beyond the local setup is in our deep-drop and bottomfish guides.
Hooks, bait and lures
Anglers fish herring or a fist-sized lure on a size-14 hook.
Who fishes halibut out of Newport
Six charters out of Newport list Pacific halibut.
| Operator | Boat | Where they run |
|---|---|---|
| Yaquina Bay Charters (with Newport Marina Store) | 20 to 30 miles offshore, about 400 to 600 ft | |
| Newfin Charters | the Bluefin | often over 500 ft |
| Good Time Charlie Sportfishing | ||
| Newport Tradewinds Deep-Sea Fishing | ||
| Patriot Fishing | ||
| Lance Fisher Fishing | 34 ft Legion’s Mercy (Venture), 25 ft Willie Raptor | the Rock Pile or Chicken Ranch |
FishingBooker reports for Good Time Charlie credit Joe Schaumburg.
FAQ for Pacific halibut fishing out of Newport
When is halibut season out of Newport?
Halibut are fished out of Newport May through October. Check ODFW for open days before fishing.
How far offshore do boats run for halibut out of Newport?
Boats run 17 to 25 miles due west to the offshore bars. Yaquina Bay Charters runs 20 to 30 miles offshore.
How deep is halibut fishing off Newport?
Yaquina Bay Charters fishes about 400 to 600 ft. Newfin often fishes over 500 ft.
What are the named halibut grounds near Newport?
Local press names Banana Bank, West Lighthouse, North Rockpile, Stonewall Bank and Chicken Ranch. Stonewall Bank, locally the Rock Pile, holds a Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. Check ODFW before planning a route over it.
What rig do Newport anglers use for halibut?
Local press describes about 500 ft of heavy mono, small cannonballs, and herring or fist-sized lures on a size-14 hook.
Which charters fish halibut out of Newport?
Yaquina Bay Charters, Newfin Charters, Good Time Charlie Sportfishing, Newport Tradewinds Deep-Sea Fishing, Patriot Fishing and Lance Fisher Fishing all list Pacific halibut.
