Recreational Ocean Halibut Reports & Seasons

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2013 South Coast Recreational Halibut

HALIBUT SEASONS

• Halibut fishing to close in all of Marine Area 2
  Action: Close the recreational halibut fishery in Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores), including the northern nearshore area from the Queets River (47º31.70’N. latitude) south to Point Chehalis (46º58.00’N. latitude) and east of a line approximating the 30 fathom depth contour as defined by the following coordinates until further notice.
  • 47 º 31.70 N. lat, 124 º 37.03 W. long
  • 47 º 25.67 N. lat, 124 º 34.79 W. long
  • 47 º 12.82 N. lat, 124 º 29.12 W. long
  • 46 º 58.00 N. lat, 124 º 24.24 W. long

  Effective date: May 20, 2013
  Species affected: Pacific halibut
  Location: Marine Area 2
  
  Reason for action: The Marine Area 2 recreational halibut fishery is projected to have taken the Pacific halibut quota for the primary season and the northern nearshore area by the end of the day May 19, 2013.This rule conforms to federal action taken by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC).

• In all marine areas open to halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction. Anglers must record their catch on a WDFW catch record card.
• Check for additional information as the season progresses under the Current Season Information and Updates page.

Bottomfish Restriction Areas

Marine Area 2 Bottomfish Restrictions Click map for enlargement

Recreational fishing for bottomfish, except rockfish, is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour from March 15 through June 15 except that retention of sablefish and Pacific cod is permitted seaward of the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour May 1 through June 15.  The retention of canary and 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.

The retention of lingcod seaward of the 30 fathom line is allowed on days that the primary halibut season is open.

The retention of lingcod is prohibited south of 46°58 N. Lat. and seaward of 30 fathoms on Fridays and Saturdays from July 1 through August 31.

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. year-round, except that lingcod may be taken, retained and possessed seaward of the line on days open during the primary halibut season.

Halibut and Bottomfish Closure Areas

It is prohibited to fish for, retain, or possess bottomfish and halibut in the South Coast Recreational YRCA and the Westport Offshore YRCA. Salmon anglers may not fish for salmon with bottomfish aboard in these areas:

South Coast YRCA

• 46º58.00’ N, 124º48.00’W, and continuing to
• 46º55.00’ N, 124º48.00’W, then to
• 46º55.00’ N, 124º49.00’W, then to
• 46º58.00’ N, 124º49.00’W, and back to the point of origin

Westport Offshore YRCA

• 46º54.30’N, 124º53.40’W and continuing to
• 46º54.30’N, 124º51.00’W, then to
• 46º53.30’N, 124º51.00’W, then to
• 46º53.30’N, 124º53.40’W, and back to the point of origin