06-26-2009, 11:10 AM
OLYMPIA - The recreational halibut fishery off the south coast of Washington will open for one more day, allowing anglers to fish for both salmon and halibut Sunday, June 28.
Enough quota remains to allow Marine Area 2 (Westport) to open for halibut fishing at all depths from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on June 28, which is also the first day of ocean salmon fishing out of Westport.
"Anglers look forward to the coastal salmon season, and this year is especially enticing given the large numbers of hatchery coho forecast to return," said Kirt Hughes, regional fish program manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "Now, with another day's worth of halibut on the salmon opener, anglers could go home with both species."
Similar opportunities await anglers heading to Sekiu (Marine Areas 5), where the salmon season - which kicks off July 1 - overlaps with the last two days of the halibut fishery (July 2 and 3).
The primary season for halibut in Marine Area 2 will be closed after fishing ends June 28. However, the northern nearshore area between Grays Harbor and the Queets River will remain open to halibut fishing Thursdays through Sundays until the remaining quota for that area is taken. All other marine areas are now closed to halibut fishing except Marine Area 5. Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) will reopen Aug. 7, three days a week, Fridays through Sundays, until the remainder of the quota for that area is taken.
Media Contact
Heather Reed, (360) 249-1202
Enough quota remains to allow Marine Area 2 (Westport) to open for halibut fishing at all depths from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on June 28, which is also the first day of ocean salmon fishing out of Westport.
"Anglers look forward to the coastal salmon season, and this year is especially enticing given the large numbers of hatchery coho forecast to return," said Kirt Hughes, regional fish program manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "Now, with another day's worth of halibut on the salmon opener, anglers could go home with both species."
Similar opportunities await anglers heading to Sekiu (Marine Areas 5), where the salmon season - which kicks off July 1 - overlaps with the last two days of the halibut fishery (July 2 and 3).
The primary season for halibut in Marine Area 2 will be closed after fishing ends June 28. However, the northern nearshore area between Grays Harbor and the Queets River will remain open to halibut fishing Thursdays through Sundays until the remaining quota for that area is taken. All other marine areas are now closed to halibut fishing except Marine Area 5. Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) will reopen Aug. 7, three days a week, Fridays through Sundays, until the remainder of the quota for that area is taken.
Media Contact
Heather Reed, (360) 249-1202