Purchase catch records cards before leaving for halibut fishing trips

OLYMPIA -- Anglers planning to fish for halibut during the next two weeks should purchase their halibut catch record cards before departing on their fishing trips, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended today.

An unexpected shortage of the record cards could mean anglers may not find them at license dealers in coastal communities.

As in past years, the department this year ordered 30,000 halibut catch record cards and distributed them to license dealers. Some dealers are reporting they are out of the cards because angler demand has been heavy.

Demand has been heavy because more halibut have been available to catch this year and anglers taking advantage of Strait of Juan de Fuca salmon fishing opportunities have been taking halibut cards in case they catch one of the large flatfish as well.

Diane Ludwig, manager of the department's licensing division, said the department has ordered 10,000 more catch record cards from the printer. They should be available in approximately two weeks.

Ludwig said the department also is redistributing remaining cards among dealers to make them as available as possible in the next two weeks.

Anglers unable to find dealers with the cards can call the licensing division at (360) 902-2434 for assistance.