WHAT !! No rockfish fishing ???

[robodad]

Not trying to cause trouble but can you fish butts deep?  What if you use the same gear for lings?  I only fish out of lapush and we get big lings with our halibut and it is ok to keep when halibut is open.

I need to learn how to fish LaPush better, I have only been out there one time and it was great fishing but rough sea for sure !!!

When halibut is open I believe you can fish for them any depth, just when its closed then ling cod and other bottom fish must be fished shallower then 120' !! Hope thats right !!!

[lokidog]

Example, if your fishing an MA where ling cod is open same time as halibut, the depth rule still applies from an enforcement perspective as you can't argue that your lure is intended only for halibut. That said it's going to be tough to regulate, unless someone is fishing well out in deeper waters clearly using enough weight to hit bottom.

You can fish for halibut in any depth of water.  If you are fishing in water deeper than 120' and have any bottomfish on board, you will likely get a ticket if checked.  Incidental catch of a ling while halibut fishing in 200 feet would require  the immediate release of the ling.  Same thing for catching a salmon in an open area then going to a salmon closed area and bottomfishing, salmon on board = ticket.