April 13, 2021
Action: Recreational halibut fishing opens on April 22 in Marine Areas 6 - 10 and on May 6 in Marine Areas 1 through 5. Recreational halibut is quota managed, days open are dependent on available quota and areas will close when the quota is projected to be taken.
Effective date:
Marine Areas 6 - 10: Open Thursday, April 22, 2021
Marine Areas 1 - 5: Open Thursday, May 6, 2021
Species affected: Pacific halibut
Locations:
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook):
The all-depth fishery opens May 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, June 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, as long as there is sufficient quota. The nearshore area opens to fishing May 10 on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut/columbia-river. The all depth fishery will be managed to 18,162 pounds; the nearshore quota is 500 pounds.
Marine Area 2 (Westport):
The all-depth fishery opens May 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23 and, 27. If sufficient quota remains the all depth fishery will open June 17, 20, 24, 27 depending on available quota. If there is remaining quota, the northern nearshore area will open on the Saturday after the all-depth fishery closes and will continue seven days per week until the overall quota is taken. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut/south-coast. This area will be managed to an overall quota of 63,636 pounds.
Marine Areas 3 and 4 (Neah Bay and La Push):
Open May 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 28, 30, June 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, as long as there is sufficient quota. The combined quota for both areas is 128,928 pounds.
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu):
Open May 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 28, 29, 30, June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 as long as there is sufficient quota.
Marine Areas 6 - 10 (Puget Sound):
Open April 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, May 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 as long as there is sufficient quota.
Marine Areas 1 - 10: Daily limit of 1 halibut per angler, with no minimum size limit. Annual limit of 4. All catch must be recorded on a WDFW catch record card. Possession limits remain the same.
Marine Areas 11 - 13 (Puget Sound): Closed
Reason for action: The National Marine Fisheries Service has adopted final regulations for Pacific halibut fisheries in 2021 including the season dates described here. This emergency rule revises state regulations so they conform to federal regulations.
Additional Information: The Makah and Quileute Reservations, including marinas and all services, remain closed to visitors. Neah Bay on the Makah Reservation and La Push on the Quileute Reservation represents the primary direct boat access in Marine Areas 3 and 4, and as a result, those fishing in these areas will have to launch from and land in other areas. Anglers fishing in Marine Areas 3 and 4 will still have to follow all rules and regulations for that area, regardless of where they return with their catch.
Information contact: Heather Hall, Intergovernmental Policy Coordinator, 360-902-2487
Effective date:
Marine Areas 6 - 10: Open Thursday, April 22, 2021
Marine Areas 1 - 5: Open Thursday, May 6, 2021
Species affected: Pacific halibut
Locations:
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook):
The all-depth fishery opens May 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, June 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, as long as there is sufficient quota. The nearshore area opens to fishing May 10 on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut/columbia-river. The all depth fishery will be managed to 18,162 pounds; the nearshore quota is 500 pounds.
Marine Area 2 (Westport):
The all-depth fishery opens May 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23 and, 27. If sufficient quota remains the all depth fishery will open June 17, 20, 24, 27 depending on available quota. If there is remaining quota, the northern nearshore area will open on the Saturday after the all-depth fishery closes and will continue seven days per week until the overall quota is taken. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut/south-coast. This area will be managed to an overall quota of 63,636 pounds.
Marine Areas 3 and 4 (Neah Bay and La Push):
Open May 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 28, 30, June 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, as long as there is sufficient quota. The combined quota for both areas is 128,928 pounds.
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu):
Open May 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 28, 29, 30, June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 as long as there is sufficient quota.
Marine Areas 6 - 10 (Puget Sound):
Open April 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, May 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 as long as there is sufficient quota.
Marine Areas 1 - 10: Daily limit of 1 halibut per angler, with no minimum size limit. Annual limit of 4. All catch must be recorded on a WDFW catch record card. Possession limits remain the same.
Marine Areas 11 - 13 (Puget Sound): Closed
Reason for action: The National Marine Fisheries Service has adopted final regulations for Pacific halibut fisheries in 2021 including the season dates described here. This emergency rule revises state regulations so they conform to federal regulations.
Additional Information: The Makah and Quileute Reservations, including marinas and all services, remain closed to visitors. Neah Bay on the Makah Reservation and La Push on the Quileute Reservation represents the primary direct boat access in Marine Areas 3 and 4, and as a result, those fishing in these areas will have to launch from and land in other areas. Anglers fishing in Marine Areas 3 and 4 will still have to follow all rules and regulations for that area, regardless of where they return with their catch.
Information contact: Heather Hall, Intergovernmental Policy Coordinator, 360-902-2487