Idaho Fish Report

NEWPORT, Ore – ODFW announces an extra day of Pacific halibut fishing in the Columbia River Subarea and clarifies how to record the two fish bag limit in the Central and Southern Oregon subareas.

Additional angling day
Friday, Sept. 24 has opened for anglers to fish for Pacific halibut at all depths for one more day in the Columbia River Subarea (Leadbetter Pt., WA to Cape Falcon, OR) this year.

This subarea is managed jointly with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and enough quota remains in other Washington and Oregon subareas to add another day (Sept. 24) of halibut fishing.

Anglers should note the two-fish bag limit does not apply to the Columbia River Subarea (it only applies to the Central Coast and Southern Oregon subareas).

Pacific halibut tagging clarification
The Central Coast and Southern Oregon subareas remain open seven days a week through Oct. 31 or until quota is met, and anglers may retain two Pacific halibut daily, six per year. The increase in bag limits began Sept. 13.

ODFW’s daily and multi-day angling licenses, which include a combined angling tag, are currently set up for anglers to record only one halibut per day on the paper or electronic tag. For the remainder of the 2021 halibut season, anglers using daily licenses/tags who keep two halibut per day should record the first halibut on the paper tag or MyODFW app as usual.

The second halibut should be recorded in any open space on the paper tag, or if e-tagging, record on any paper. The species, location code, day and month, and length of the halibut in inches must be recorded. Anglers using e-tagging should be prepared with paper and ballpoint pen to record their second fish.

For a map of the subareas, click here.

Pacific halibut regulations:

• Pacific halibut anglers must have a descending device onboard the vessel and use it to release any rockfish species when fishing 30 fathoms or deeper.

• Since Sept. 13 south of Cape Falcon, anglers can keep two Pacific halibut daily, six per year in the Central Coast and Southern Oregon subareas.

• The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) located in the Central Coast Subarea is closed to Pacific halibut fishing.

• Anglers on vessels possessing Pacific halibut or bottomfish are prohibited from fishing in the Stonewall Bank YRCA even when targeting legal species (salmon and tuna).

See Pacific halibut sport regulations for more information.