ODFW announces changes to Pacific halibut sport fishery

Photo Credit: Courtesy of ODFW

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
9-7-2021
Website

NEWPORT, Ore – ODFW today announced changes in two subarea of the summer all-depth Pacific halibut sport fishery.

Central Coast Subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain): 
Beginning Sept. 13, angling opens seven days per week with a daily bag limit of two Pacific halibut. The annual limit remains six fish. Since recreational bottomfish fishing is also open to all-depth beginning in September, anglers may retain both bottomfish and halibut on the same trip. The nearshore fishery quota will be absorbed into the summer all-depth fishery.

Southern Oregon Subarea (Humbug Mountain to California border):
Beginning Sept. 13, anglers may retain two fish per day; annual limit remains six fish. Season open dates remain unchanged (open daily through Oct. 31 or until quota met).  

Lynn Mattes, Recreational Groundfish and Halibut Project Leader explained the changes.

“Much of the harvest quota for these two subareas hasn’t been met. We attribute that to spring weather that hampered fishing effort and landing, and a really good marked coho salmon season that drew anglers’ attention. We’re hoping anglers take advantage of the opportunity for more halibut fishing,” Mattes said.

For a map of the subareas, click here.

Pacific halibut regulations:

  • Pacific halibut anglers must have a descending device onboard the vessel and use it to release any rockfish species when fishing 30 fathoms or deeper.
  • Anglers can keep one Pacific halibut daily, six per year.
  • The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) located in the Central Coast Subarea is closed to Pacific halibut fishing.
  • Anglers on vessels possessing Pacific halibut or bottomfish are prohibited from fishing in the Stonewall Bank YRCA even when targeting legal species (salmon and tuna).

See Pacific halibut sport regulations for more information.

 



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OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

Upper Klamath Lake: Redband trout are starting to move back into the main part
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Fishing can be excellent this time of year if flows are fishable
Lake Of The Woods: Fishing will be slow for trout as most stocked rainbow trout will move to deeper water
Miller Lake: Fishing is excellent as the lake has been heavily stocked
Sprague River: Sprague River Fishing Report
Williamson River: Williamson River Fishing Report
Wood River: One of the best bets for fishing right now
Chetco River: Water levels are low
Elk River: Fall season rule changes for Chinook are now in place
Expo Pond: Warmwater fishing continues at Exp
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Emergency Regulations are still in effect
Hyatt Lake: Emergency Regulations still in effect
Lost Creek Lake: Trout fishing should still be good
Rogue River- Lower: The Rogue Bay has been busy with anglers
Rogue River - Middle: ODFW has lifted the 2 p.m. fishing closure between Lobster and Hog creeks
Rogue River- Upper: Upper Rogue River Report
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Flows above Prospect seem to have leveled of
Sixes River: Anglers should be able to find sea-run cutthroat in most pools
Willow Lake: Water levels have started to drop significantly
Miami River: Cutthroat trout fishing in the Miami should start to improve
Nehalem River: Chinook fishing picked back up the past week
Nestucca River: The Nestucca has a hatchery summer steelhead run
Trask River: Anglers will find sea-run cutthroat trout throughout the Trask
Wilson River: Cutthroat trout fishing is open in the Wilson River as well
Clear Lake: Stocked Recently
Green Peter Reservoir: The water level in the reservoir continues to drop
Leaburg Lake: Stocked Recently
McKenzie River: Boat Ramp Update on The McKenzie
Salmon Creek: Recently Stocked
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Hoot Owl regulations have been rescinded below Big Cliff dam
Antelope Flat Reservoir: Water is Low and Dirty
Crooked River: Bull Trout Must Be Released
Haystack Reservoir: Water level will remain low for now
Prinevile Reservoir: Trout Fishing Good Near Dam
Walton Lake: Lake is Well Stocked
Magone Lake: Fishing has been very good this summer
Umatilla River: Umatilla River Update