April 2, 2025
Action: Sets opening dates for recreational halibut seasons. Raises annual halibut limit to six (6). 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 3-June 30, 2025
- Marine Areas 1 through 4: Open Thursday, May 1, 2025 (see below for additional open dates by area.)
Species affected: Pacific halibut
Locations and specific open dates:
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook):
The all-depth fishery opens May 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 29, 30; June 1, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 22, 26, 27, and 29 as long as there is sufficient quota. If at least 55 percent of the Columbia River sub-area quota remains as of May 25, 2025, the fishery will also open June 9, 10, 16, 17, and 30.
The nearshore area opens to fishing May 5, on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule, as long as there is sufficient quota. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available at WDFW website.
The all-depth fishery will be managed to 18,587 pounds; the nearshore quota is 500 pounds.
Marine Area 2 (Westport):
The all-depth fishery opens May 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, and 29. If sufficient quota remains the all-depth fishery will open June 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 29.
This area will be managed to an overall quota of 65,117pounds.
Marine Areas 3 and 4 (Neah Bay and La Push):
Open May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, and 31; June 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, and 29, as long as there is sufficient quota.
The combined quota for both areas is 130,409 pounds.
In Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, sablefish, Pacific cod, and lingcod may be retained in waters seaward of the 120’ bottomfish closure on days open for halibut.
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) and Marine Areas 6 – 10 (Puget Sound):
Open April 3 through June 30 (seven days per week), as long as there is sufficient quota.
This area will be managed to a quota of 79,772 pounds.
In Marine Area 5, lingcod may be retained in waters seaward of the 120’ bottomfish closure on days open for halibut from May 1 through June 15.
In Marine Area 5, Pacific cod and sablefish may be retained in waters seaward of the 120’ bottomfish closure on days open for halibut. The daily limit is 2 of each species.
In Marine Area 6, Pacific cod may be retained in waters seaward of the 120’ bottomfish closure on days open for halibut.
- Marine Areas 11 – 13 (Puget Sound): Closed.
Halibut Rules: Daily limit of 1 halibut per angler, with no minimum size limit. Annual limit of 6 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.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for fishing rules.
Information contact: Corey Niles, Intergovernmental Policy Lead, 360-902-2733.