OLYMPIA -- Recreational halibut fishing at LaPush and a portion of the Neah Bay areas (Marine Area 3 and 4) will close at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) will close west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.

The areas are being closed because the 1997 halibut quota of 96,088 pounds established by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and Pacific Fishery Management Council will be taken by Friday.

Halibut fishing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh Line) will remain open through Aug. 10. Anglers with Canadian recreational fishing licenses may continue to fish in Canadian waters.