South Coast halibut and bottomfish seasons and regulations

All-depth primary halibut fishery
Fishing Dates Anglers
(number)		 Halibut
(number)		 Halibut Caught (pounds) Quota Remaining
        64,376
May 4, 7 1,081 721 9,767.9 54,608.1
May 9, 11, 14 1,441 997 13,500.9 41,107.1
May 16, 18, 21 921 601 8,147.5 32,959.6
May 23, 25 342 289 3,533.5 29,426.2
May 30 61 60 722.5 28,703.6
June 15,18 562 488 7,467.1 21,236.5
June 22, 25 824 586 9,336.6 11,900.0
August 26-27 826 485 8,201.3 3,698.7
Sept 8 and 9 623 495 7,722.0 -
Sept 22 236 104 1,752.5

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Northern nearshore halibut fishery
Fishing Dates Anglers
(number)		 Halibut
(number)		 Halibut Caught (pounds) Quota Remaining*
         

2023 halibut season dates 

South Coast (Marine Area 2)

The following dates for the 2023 season have been approved by the Pacific Fishery Management Council and 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 23, three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday
  • Thursday, May 25
  • Tuesday May 30
  • Thursday, June 15 and Sunday, June 18
  • Thursday, June 22 and Sunday, June 25

    Announced July 24, the South Coast will open August 26, 27, and September 8, 9, 22.  For late summer openers, quota is shared among subareas. All dates are subject to total WA 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.  Except, the bag limit is temporarily increased to six fish for August 17 - September 30, 2023 (dates subject to available quota). Anglers may obtain a free two-line catch record card for this period. 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 

    Bottomfish restrictions in marine area 2

    Recreational fishing for lingcod is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55 m) depth contour from May 1 through May 31. The retention of lingcod seaward of the 30 fathom line is allowed on days that the primary halibut season is open. The retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited. 

    The 30 fathom depth contour is described by the coordinates below:

    • 47°31.70'N. lat., 124°37.03'W. long.
    • 47°25.67'N. lat., 124°34.79'W. long.
    • 47°12.82'N. lat., 124°29.12'W. long.
    • 46°52.94'N. lat., 124°22.58'W. long.
    • 46°44.18'N. lat., 124°18.00'W. long.
    • 46°38.17'N. lat., 124°15.88'W. long.

    Deepwater Lingcod Closure Area

    Recreational fishing for, retention or possession of lingcod is prohibited seaward of a line extending from 47°31.70'N. lat., 124°45.00'W. long. south to 46°38.17'N. lat., 124°30.00'W. long. Lingcod retention is allowed in this areas on days open to the primary (all-depth) halibut season. Lingcod may also be taken, retained and possessed in this area from June 1 through June 15 and September 1 through September 30.

    Bottomfish Seasons and Limits

    Bottomfish

    Recreational fishing for 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, five additional flatfish species (excluding Pacific halibut) can be retained. 

    Lingcod

    • Marine Area 2 (Westport): Open March 11 – October 21, 2023.
    • No minimum size.
    • The daily bag limit is two per angler. 
    • No retention or possession seaward of 30 fathoms May 1 – May 31 (except when the primary halibut season is open)
    • No retention or possession seaward of the deepwater closure area except, lingcod retention is allowed seaward of the deepwater closure area (see above) on days open to the recreational halibut fishery and from June 1 through June 15 and September 1 through September 30.

    Rockfish

    • Open March 11 through October 21, 2023.  No minimum size. Daily limit 7.  Retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.   New for 2023, in May, June, and July the possession limit for copper rockfish, quillback rockfish, and vermilion rockfish is 0.

    Cabezon

    • Open March 11 through October 21, 2023. No minimum size. Daily limit 1.

    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.