More Halibut Days Set For North OR, South WA Coasts

THE FOLLOWING ARE A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AND AN EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE NOTICE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISHA ND WILDLIFE

Anglers now have two more days to fish the Columbia River Subarea all-depth recreational Pacific halibut fishery. The fishery currently is open each Thursday and Sunday through September 30 or until the quota is met with two Fridays now added: September 4 and September 11.

The subarea runs from Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR.

“Weather didn’t cooperate for the first openings in this subarea, so these additional dates increase angling opportunity,” said Lynn Mattes, ODFW Recreational Groundfish and Halibut Project Leader.

If catch continues to track slower than anticipated, additional days may be added.

ODFW and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife manage this shared subarea in close coordination and consulted on these additional open dates.

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Additional all-depth halibut days added in Marine Areas 1 and 2

Action: Opens the all-depth halibut fishery in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook) and Marine Area 2 (Westport) on Friday, Sept. 4. In addition, opens Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook) on Friday, Sept. 11. These openings are in addition to days already proposed to be open.

Effective date: Sept. 4, 2020.

Species affected: Pacific Halibut.

Location: Marine Areas 1 and 2 .

Reason for action:  Prior to the start of the recreational halibut season, additional days were identified that could be opened if recreational halibut catch was tracking slower than expected in Marine Areas 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook) and 2 (Westport). Those days were Aug. 28, Sept. 4, and Sept. 11.

This change will open both areas on Sept. 4 to give recreational anglers time to plan for the extra fishing day. In addition, Marine Area 1, where catch is tracking slower than in Marine Area 2, will also open on Friday, Sept. 11. There is enough quota remaining in these two subareas (Marine Areas 1 and 2) to add these additional fishing days.