| Fishing Dates | Anglers (number) | Halibut (number) | Halibut Caught (pounds) | Quota Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing Dates | Anglers (number) | Halibut (number) | Halibut Caught (pounds) | Quota Remaining* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA |
2024 halibut season dates
South Coast (Marine Area 2)
The 2024 Washington recreational season for halibut has closed.
The 2024 dates for South Coast Marine Area 2 are listed below:
May 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 28, 30
June 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30
Thursday, August 22 – Tuesday, September 3
September 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29
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.
Check for additional information as the season progresses on the Emergency fishing and shellfishing rules page.
2024 Bottomfish Regulations
Recreational fishing for lingcod is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55 m) depth contour from May 1 through May 31. The retention of lingcod seaward of the 30-fathom line is allowed on days that the primary halibut season is open. The retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.
The 30-fathom depth contour is described by the coordinates below:
- 47°31.70'N. lat., 124°37.03'W. long.
- 47°25.67'N. lat., 124°34.79'W. long.
- 47°12.82'N. lat., 124°29.12'W. long.
- 46°52.94'N. lat., 124°22.58'W. long.
- 46°44.18'N. lat., 124°18.00'W. long.
- 46°38.17'N. lat., 124°15.88'W. long.
Deepwater Lingcod Closure Area
Recreational fishing for, retention or possession of lingcod is prohibited seaward of a line extending from 47°31.70'N. lat., 124°45.00'W. long. south to 46°38.17'N. lat., 124°30.00'W. long. Lingcod retention is allowed in this areas on days open to the primary (all-depth) halibut season. Lingcod may also be taken, retained and possessed in this area from June 1 through June 15 and September 1 through September 30.
Bottomfish Seasons and Limits
Bottomfish
Recreational fishing for bottomfish will be open from the second Saturday in March through the third Saturday in October, which is March 9 through October 19, 2024. Daily limit is a total of 9 bottomfish regardless of species, subject to individual limits shown below. In addition to the nine bottomfish daily limit, five additional flatfish species (excluding Pacific halibut) can be retained.
Lingcod
- Marine Area 2 (Westport): Open March 9 – October 19, 2024.
- No minimum size.
- The daily bag limit is two per angler.
- No retention or possession seaward of 30 fathoms May 1 – May 31 (except when the primary halibut season is open)
- No retention or possession seaward of the deepwater closure area except, lingcod retention is allowed seaward of the deepwater closure area (see above) on days open to the recreational halibut fishery and from June 1 through June 15 and September 1 through September 30.
Rockfish
- Open March 9 - October 19, 2024. No minimum size. Daily limit 7. Retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited. In May, June, and July the possession limit for copper rockfish, quillback rockfish, and vermilion rockfish is 0.
Cabezon
- Open March 9 - October 19, 2024. No minimum size. Daily limit 1.
Sixgill, Sevengill, and Thresher sharks
Closed to fishing for, retaining, or possessing. Sixgill shark may not be removed from the water.
Surfperch
Open year-round. No minimum size. Daily limit 12, except Shiner perch daily limit 15; not included in the bottomfish daily limit.