WHAT !! No rockfish fishing ???

[robodad]

And does that mean we can't fish for lingcod in 120' or shallower or deeper water ??

To provide additional protection for these fish, WDFW recently closed fishing for all species of rockfish from southern Puget Sound north to the Canadian border and west to Port Angeles, effective May 1. In addition, anglers fishing for other bottomfish in Puget Sound will be required to observe a 120-foot depth restriction. This new measure is specifically designed to reduce mortality of rockfish incidentally intercepted in these fisheries.

Source: http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=apr2710b

[benhuntin]

Cant fish deeper than 120' unless halibut is open.  Been that way for a few years in the ocean.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 More good intending but misguided regulations. Sport fishing in the Sound has been non-existent for decades for rock fish, that is not the root of the problem. It's abondoned netting, chemicals and overharvest of food sources like crab in those areas that continue to hurt the inner Sound population. These regs won't change a thing to that end, more needs to happen.

[Sneaky]

I don't think you can fish for bottomfish deeper than 120 feet regardless of whether or not halibut is open if I read it right. Also, the news release claimed that there was over 100,000 pounds of halibut caught in the sound last year? I can't see that as a realistic number.


Yeah, I found the quote

"Constraints on fishing opportunities will be most apparent in Puget Sound, due to the combination of this year’s reduced quota and an excessive catch last year, Culver said. WDFW estimates that Puget Sound anglers caught more than 114,000 pounds of halibut in 2009 – well over the 57,393-pound quota. "

I know I didn't catch any of that 114,000 pounds of puget sound halibut...

"In addition, anglers fishing for other bottomfish in Puget Sound will be required to observe a 120-foot depth restriction. This new measure is specifically designed to reduce mortality of rockfish incidentally intercepted in these fisheries. "

Yep 120 foot restriction for other bottomfish.

[Dmanmastertracker]

I don't think you can fish for bottomfish deeper than 120 feet regardless  whether or not halibut is open if I read it right. Also, the news release claimed that there was over 100,000 pounds of halibut caught in the sound last year? I can't see that as a realistic number.

 Unless it includes tribal.

[Sneaky]

I don't think you can fish for bottomfish deeper than 120 feet regardless  whether or not halibut is open if I read it right. Also, the news release claimed that there was over 100,000 pounds of halibut caught in the sound last year? I can't see that as a realistic number.

 Unless it includes tribal.

In puget sound though? where do the indians fish halibut in puget sound?

[benhuntin]

Can you fish halibut deeper than 120'?  If so how do you keep lings off

[Dmanmastertracker]

 Anywhere they want. Remember, Puget Sound proper includes places like Discovery Bay and the banks off the San Juans and PA, all prime 'butt grounds.

[Sneaky]

Yeah I guess it could be possible if it includes out North of PA. These rockfish rules are getting out of hand. If I wanted to I could catch yelloweyes and canary's in areas 4 and 5 easier than black bass. They are plentiful in my experience...

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I think the closure only extends out to the end of area six.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 -I should say depth restriction, not closure...

[Rob]

Can you fish halibut deeper than 120'?  If so how do you keep lings off

Halibut are not considered bottom fish in the regs so yes, you can fish for them below 120.  Ling don't have air bladders so they can be released and still live when brought up from deeper water.  Unlike rockfish.

I am not a bunny kissing nut job, but I think all rockfishing in the Puget sound should be eliminated for a time.  recreational, tribal and netting.  they grow so slow and the PS is a closed system.  As a diver I can tell you first hand, the #'s are dropping big time.  However since they made it illegal to spear rockfish in the PS, i can attest that many of the dive sites are seeing #'s return.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 If your fishing a concurrent season, it doesn't really matter what your targeting.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 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.

[benhuntin]

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.