| Fishing Dates | Anglers (#) |
Halibut (#) |
Pounds | Cumulative (pounds) |
Quota Remaining (pounds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2023 halibut season dates
North Coast (Marine Areas 3 and 4)
The following dates for 2023 are preliminary. They have been approved by the Pacific Fishery Management Council but have not been implemented into federal regulation. Pacific halibut are quota managed, days open are dependent on available quota and Marine Areas will close when the quota is projected to be obtained. The following is intended to show the proposed season structure, but season dates are not guaranteed to be open.
- May 4 through May 20, two days per week, Thursday and Saturday
- Memorial Day weekend, open Friday and Sunday, May 26 and May 28
- June 1 through June 24, two days per week, Thursday and Saturday, and Thursday, June 29
Additional days may be scheduled in August and September, depending on available quota.
In all marine areas open to halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction. There is a four fish annual bag limit. Anglers must record their catch on a WDFW catch record card
Check for additional information as the season progresses in the emergency rules website.
2023 bottomfish regulations
20-fathom depth restriction
In Marine Area 3 and Marine Area 4 (west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line) effective June 1 through July 31, recreational fishing for bottomfish is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 20-fm (120 ft.) depth contour. Beginning June 1, on days open to the Pacific halibut fishery, the following bottomfish can be retained seaward of 20 fathoms: lingcod, sablefish, Pacific cod, bocaccio, silvergray rockfish, canary rockfish, widow rockfish, and yellowtail rockfish. Yellowtail and widow rockfish retention is allowed seaward of 20 fathoms at all times during the month of July.
In Marine Area 4B (east of the Bonnilla Tatoosh line) recreational fishing for bottomfish is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating 20-fm (120 ft.) year-round. On days open to the Pacific halibut fishery in this area, no bottomfish except lingcod and Pacific cod can be retained seaward of 20-fm. Yellowtail and widow rockfish retention is allowed seaward of 20 fathoms on days open to recreational salmon fishing in July and August.
The retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited in all Marine Areas.
Area closures
Area Closures
A "C-shaped" yelloweye rockfish conservation area that is closed to recreational bottomfish and halibut fishing is defined by the following coordinates in the order listed:
- 48°18' N. lat.; 125°18' W. long.;
- 48°18' N. lat.; 124°59' W. long.;
- 48°11' N. lat.; 124°59' W. long.;
- 48°11' N. lat.; 125°11' W. long.;
- 48°04' N. lat.; 125°11' W. long.;
- 48°04' N. lat.; 124°59' W. long.;
- 48°00' N. lat.; 124°59' W. long.;
- 48°00' N. lat.; 125°18' W. long.; and
- connecting back to 48°18' N. lat.; 125°18' W. long.
Bottomfish seasons and limits
West of the Bonnilla-Tatoosh line: Recreational bottomfish will be open from the second Saturday in March through the third Saturday in October which is March 11 through October 21, 2023. Daily limit is a total of 9 bottomfish regardless of species, subject to individual limits shown below. In addition to the nine bottomfish daily limit, anglers can retain three additional flatfish.
East of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Open year round. In addition to the nine bottomfish daily limit, anglers can retain five additional flatfish. See 20 fathom depth restriction above for more information.
Lingcod
Marine Area 3 (La Push) and Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line (Neah Bay): Open March 11 – October 21, 2023; no minimum size, the daily bag limit is two per angler.
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line: March 11 – October 21, 2023; no minimum size; the daily bag limit is two per angler.
Rockfish
West of Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Open March 11 – October 21, 2023. No minimum size. Daily limit 7. No Yelloweye may be retained. No retention or possession seaward of 20 fathoms June 1 through July 31, see 20 fathom depth restriction above for more information. New for 2023, in May, June, and July the possession limit for copper rockfish, quillback rockfish, and vermilion rockfish is 0.
East of Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Open year-round. No minimum size. Daily limit 7, the following species may be retained: black rockfish, blue/deacon rockfish, yellowtail rockfish and widow rockfish.
Cabezon
Marine Area 3 (La Push) and Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Open March 11 – October 21, 2023. No Minimum size. Daily limit 1.
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Open year round. No minimum size. Daily limit 1
Wolf-eel
Closed to retention
Sixgill, Sevengill, and Thresher sharks
Closed to fishing for, retaining, or possessing. Sixgill shark may not be removed from the water.
Surfperch
Open year-round. No minimum size. Daily limit 12, except Shiner perch daily limit 15 is not included in the bottomfish daily limit.