Pacific Halibut Fishing

• Pacific Halibut Management
• Pacific Halibut Sport Fishing
• Pacific Halibut Estimates

  What's Open?

• Pacific halibut sport fishing will next be open in May 2012.
  

Past Season Regulation Maps:

• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006

  Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  On what days is the COMMERCIAL halibut fishery open?

In 2011 the directed commercial fishery was open on June 29 and July 13, after which there was insufficient quota for subsequent openers. From the Washington-Oregon-California (Area 2A) non-tribal total allowable catch, the commercial fishery is allocated 31.7% while the recreational fishery is allocated 68.3%. The commercial fishery consists of a directed halibut fishery and an incidental catch fishery during the salmon troll fishery.

Q.  What's the difference between a Pacific halibut and a California halibut?

Pacific Halibut	California Halibut

Q.  How much does my monster halibut weigh?

If you know the length of your halibut, you can find its corresponding weight.
Length in inches (pdf)
Length in centimeters (pdf)

Q.  Closed here, open there... what can I do where?

Anglers may FISH FOR Pacific halibut only in areas open to Pacific halibut fishing. Anglers may LAND Pacific halibut only at ports located in areas open to Pacific halibut fishing. No person shall be in possession of halibut on a vessel while fishing in a closed area.

Q.  From which quota is my catch taken?

Pacific halibut landed at a port will count toward the quota for the subarea in which that port is located.

Pictures and descriptions of other flatfish species are also available.

Q.  What subareas are found in Oregon?

Subarea	Boundaries
Columbia River Central coast South coast	Leadbetter Pt. (WA) to Cape Falcon (OR) Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. South of Humbug Mt. (including California)

 Read Up Before You Reel Up

• Marine sport fishing regulations
  
  
• Waypoints for the 40-fathom line
  
  
• Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area
  Sport fishing in this area, approximately 15 miles west of Newport, is limited primarily to salmon (using authorized methods on authorized dates) and some offshore pelagic species including tuna.
  
  
• Red Rockfish Identification Guide (pdf)
  Retention of yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish is prohibited at all times and in all Oregon waters.
  
  
• Release Methods for Rockfish
  A Sea Grant Oregon publication that describes how to minimize rockfish mortality.
  
  
• IPHC stock assessment surveys (Oregon is in Area 2A)