Recreational Ocean Halibut Reports & Seasons

Buy Your License Online!

2012 South Coast Recreational Halibut

HALIBUT SEASONS

• Open Sunday, May 6, 2 days per week, Sunday and Tuesday through May 22. The primary fishery is closed May 27 and 29.  If sufficient quota remains, the fishery will open the following Sunday and or Tuesday and continue until the quota is achieved or September 30, whichever occurs first.
  
  
• The northern nearshore area will be open on May 6, and continue 7 days per week until the nearshore quota is reached or September 30, whichever occurs first.
  
  Northern Nearshore Area Coordinates:
  The northern nearshore fishery takes place in the area from 47º 31.70’ N. lat. south to 48º 58.00’ N. lat and east of a boundary line approximating the 30 fathom depth contour as defined by the following coordinates:

47º 31.70’ N. lat, 124 º 37.03’ W. long;
47º 25.67’ N. lat, 124 º 34.79’ W. long;
47º 12.82’ N. lat, 124 º 29.12’ W. long;
46º 58.00’ N. lat, 124 º 24.24’ W. long.

• Check for additional information as the season progresses under the Current Season Information and Updates page.

Bottomfish Restriction Areas

Marine Area 2 Bottomfish Restrictions Click map for enlargement

Recreational fishing for bottomfish, except rockfish, is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour from March 15 through June 15 except that retention of sablefish and Pacific cod is permitted seaward of the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour May 1 through June 15.  The retention of canary and yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.

The 30 fathom depth contour is described by the coordinates below:

• 47°31.70'N. lat., 124°37.03'W. long.
• 47°25.67'N. lat., 124°34.79'W. long.
• 47°12.82'N. lat., 124°29.12'W. long.
• 46°52.94'N. lat., 124°22.58'W. long.
• 46°44.18'N. lat., 124°18.00'W. long.
• 46°38.17'N. lat., 124°15.88'W. long.

The retention of lingcod seaward of the 30 fathom line is allowed on days that the primary halibut season is open.

The retention of lingcod is prohibited south of 46°58 N. Lat. and seaward of 30 fathoms on Fridays and Saturdays from July 1 through August 31.

Recreational fishing for, retention or possession of lingcod is prohibited seaward of a line extending from 47°31.70'N. lat., 124°45.00'W. long. south to 46°38.17'N. lat., 124°30.00'W. long. year-round, except that lingcod may be taken, retained and possessed seaward of the line on days open during the primary halibut season.

Halibut and Bottomfish Closure Areas

It is prohibited to fish for, retain, or possess bottomfish and halibut in the South Coast Recreational YRCA and the Westport Offshore YRCA. Salmon anglers may not fish for salmon with bottomfish aboard in these areas:

South Coast YRCA

• 46º58.00’ N, 124º48.00’W, and continuing to
• 46º55.00’ N, 124º48.00’W, then to
• 46º55.00’ N, 124º49.00’W, then to
• 46º58.00’ N, 124º49.00’W, and back to the point of origin

Westport Offshore YRCA

• 46º54.30’N, 124º53.40’W and continuing to
• 46º54.30’N, 124º51.00’W, then to
• 46º53.30’N, 124º51.00’W, then to
• 46º53.30’N, 124º53.40’W, and back to the point of origin