Idaho Fish Report

The Pacific halibut nearshore sport fishery in the Columbia River Subarea (Leadbetter Pt., Wash. to Cape Falcon) will open seven days per week starting May 24.

The all-depth fishery closed with approximately 700 pounds remaining on the quota. That is not enough to open for additional all-depth days so that remaining quota has been transferred to the nearshore fishery, allowing the additional days per week to be open. The nearshore fishery will be open until the revised quota of 1,217 pounds is harvested, or Sept. 30, whichever comes first.

Opportunities to fish for Pacific halibut remain open in other areas of Oregon as well:

• Off central Oregon between Cape Falcon (near Manzanita) and Humbug Mountain (near Port Orford), the spring all-depth halibut fishery is next scheduled to be open May 24-26, with additional fixed open dates scheduled for June 7-9 and June 21-23. 
  • Beginning June 1, anglers may fish for halibut inside the 40-fathom line seven days a week through Oct. 31 or attainment of the harvest quota (25,856 pounds) for that fishery.
  • The summer season all-depth is scheduled to begin on Aug. 3-4 every other Friday and Saturday until Oct. 31 or the quota of 53,866 pounds has been met. The high-relief area of Stonewall Bank, west of Newport, is closed to all halibut fishing.
• The area between Humbug Mountain and the OR/CA Border is open at all depths for Pacific halibut seven days a week through Oct. 31 or until the quota of 8,892 pounds has been met, whichever comes first.

Days on which Pacific halibut fishing is open will be announced on the NOAA Fisheries hotline (1-800-662-9825) and posted on the Marine Zone Recreation Report Regulation Updates page and 2018 Pacific Halibut Regulations page.