Halibut fishing for personal use will start Thursday, May 3 in many Washington inland waters and one coastal marine management zone No. 1 Columbia River.
The Puget Sound marine areas remaining closed for 2012 are 11, 12 and 13, this to protect rockfish.
Flattie fishing in the three other coastal areas will start either Sunday or Thursday, May 6 or 10. Marine Area 5 (west end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca) halibut fishing will start Thursday, May 24 with weekly closed days.
Washington’s recreational fishery quota for the 2012 catch year as determined by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and the Pacific Fisheries Management Council is 214,110 pounds. Recreational fishing is limited by this quota, which is further allocated to individual coastal management areas and the inside fishery in toto.
However, in light of the popularity of the fishery, there will be weekly closed days to check the catch rate so the season can last for a little more than a month
Recreational anglers will be able to catch and keep one halibut a day and have two in any condition in possession.
Connect
Connect with us on the following social media platforms.