OLYMPIA--The sport halibut season on the northern part of the Washington coast will close at 12:01 a.m. Saturday (July 25), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

All of Marine Area 3 (LaPush) and the portion of Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line will close to halibut fishing at that time.

The areas are being closed because anglers are expected to take the halibut quota of 96,088 pounds, or approximately 6,100 fish, by Friday.

Halibut fishing will remain open in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound through Aug. 3. Halibut fishing is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, however.

In addition, Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) remains open to halibut fishing seven days per week.