February 27, 2023
Action: Sets opening dates for recreational halibut seasons. Allows halibut legally retained in Area 5 to be landed in Marine Area 4 on days Area 4 is closed to halibut fishing.
Effective dates:
Marine Areas 5 through 10: Open Thursday, April 6, 2023
Marine Areas 1 through 4: Open Thursday, May 4, 2023
Species affected: Pacific halibut
Locations and specific open dates:
- Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook):
The all-depth fishery opens May 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25; June 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, and 29, as long as there is sufficient quota.
The nearshore area opens to fishing May 8, on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule, as long as there is sufficient quota. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut/columbia-river.
The all- depth fishery will be managed to 18,375 pounds; the nearshore quota is 500 pounds.
- Marine Area 2 (Westport):
The all-depth fishery opens May 4, 7, 9,11,14,16,18, 21, 23, 25, and 30. If sufficient quota remains the all-depth fishery will open June 15, 18, 22, and 25 depending on available quota.
If there is remaining quota, the northern nearshore area will open 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 at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut/south-coast.
This area will be managed to an overall quota of 64,376 pounds.
- Marine Areas 3 and 4 (Neah Bay and La Push):
Open May 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 26, 28; June 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, and 29, as long as there is sufficient quota.
The combined quota for both areas is 129,668 pounds.
- Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) and Marine Areas 6 – 10 (Puget Sound):
Open April 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,13,14, 15,16,17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30; May 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28; June 1-30 as long as there is sufficient quota.
This area will be managed to a quota of 79,031 pounds.
- Marine Areas 11 – 13 (Puget Sound): Closed
Rules: Daily limit of 1 halibut per angler, with no minimum size limit. Annual limit of 4 halibut. All catch must be immediately recorded on a WDFW catch record card. Possession limit is two daily limits in any form, except only one daily limit while aboard the fishing vessel.
Anglers cannot fish for, retain, possess, or land halibut into a port located within an area that is closed to halibut fishing, except anglers can land halibut that were lawfully retained in Marine Area 5 into a port within Marine Area 4 when Marine Area 4 is closed.
Reason for action: This emergency rule revises state rules, to conform with proposed federal regulations.
Additional information: Recreational halibut is quota managed, days open are dependent on available quota and areas will close when the quota is projected to be taken. If quota remains after June 30, additional halibut fishing may be considered for August and September.
Information contact: Lorna Wargo, Intergovernmental Policy Coordinator, 360-581-5611