OLYMPIA — The recreational halibut fishery off the south coast of Washington will reopen Aug. 7, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

Marine area 1 (Ilwaco) will be open for halibut fishing at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7 on a Friday- through-Sunday schedule until the quota is reached.

Recreational halibut fishing is closed in all other marine areas with the exception of the northern nearshore area located between Grays Harbor and the Queets River in Marine Area 2 (Westport/Ocean Shores). That area will remain open to halibut fishing Thursdays through Sundays until the remaining quota is taken.

No other bottom fish may be retained or landed - except sablefish and Pacific cod - if halibut are onboard the vessel.

More information on fishing regulations is available on WDFW’s website http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations.