The following is a brief summary of emergency sport fishing regulations for halibut and ocean fisheries other than salmon. For additional information, see the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet or the recreational bottomfish and halibut webpage. Contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at 360-902-2500 for more information.
Monday, July 8, 2019
2019 Recreational Pacific Halibut Seasons
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco): The all depth fishery is closed. The nearshore fishery is open seven days a week until further notice
All other Marine Areas are closed to recreational halibut fishing
All Marine Areas have a bag limit of 1 halibut per angler, with no minimum size limit. There is a four fish annual limit. All halibut catch must be recorded on a WDFW catch record card. Halibut days are dependent on available quota.
2019 Coastal Recreational Bottomfish Seasons and Bag Limits
Recreational bottomfish fishing is open in Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 (West of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line) March 9 through October 19, 2019. The total daily limit of bottomfish is 9 -bottomfish, which includes a sub limit of 7 rockfish (there is no canary rockfish sublimit). In addition to the nine bottomfish daily limit, three additional flatfish can be retained. Daily limit of 2 lingcod. Daily limit of 1 cabezon, no minimum size.
There is a daily limit of 12 surfperch and a daily limit of 15 shiner perch. Surfperch is open year round, fishing from the beach is allowed during the winter bottomfish closure.
The retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited in all areas.
Lingcod
Lingcod is open in Marine Areas 1 through 3 and Marine Area 4 west of Bonilla-Tatoosh March 9 through October 19, 2019
Lingcod is open in Marine Area 4 east of Bonilla-Tatoosh April 16 through October 15, 2019
There is no minimum size limit for lingcod in Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line. The 22 in minimum size remains in place in Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
See WDFW's fishing regulations webpage or sport fishing pamphlet for additional information.