Puget Sound recreational halibut - 2025 preliminary estimates
| Fishing Dates | Anglers (number) | Halibut (number) | Pounds | Cumulative Pounds | Quota Pounds Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 Halibut seasons
Marine Area 5 - 10
The following 2025 season dates are preliminary and subject to upcoming decisions by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and the issuance of regulations by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The halibut stock assessment for 2024 (PDF) estimates that the stock continues to experience a period of low productivity. IPHC may respond to this result by lowering quotas. Based on this possibility, the Pacific Fishery Management Council approved two sets of season dates that depend on where IPHC sets the 2025 Fishery Constant Exploitation Yield (FCEY) for Area 2A. The FCEY decision will be made at IPHC’s Annual Meeting (Jan. 27-31).
If the 2A FCEY is at least 1.3 million pounds:
- April 3 through June 30, seven days per week.
If the 2A FCEY is less than 1.3 million pounds:
- April 3 through June 30, five days per week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday).
If quota remains after June 30, all marine areas may be open up to seven days per week in August and September.
Puget Sound Region (Marine Areas 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10)
In all marine areas open to halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction. There is a six fish annual bag limit. Anglers must record their catch on a WDFW catch record card.
Reminder that Barbless Hooks are required for all species in Marine Areas 5 through 13—including for halibut and bottomfish—except when using forage fish jig gear to target forage fish (herring, sandlance, anchovy, sardine and smelt). See Marine Area Rules & Definitions in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules.