2011 Halibut Seasons

[robodad]

Looks like it could end up to be a decent season this year !! Anyone else going ??

This year's catch quota for Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca is 58,155 pounds, up from 50,542 pounds in 2010.  Like last year, most areas of the Sound will be open for halibut fishing three days a week - Thursday, Friday and Saturday - except as noted below.

 
Marine areas 6 through 10, extending from Low Point to the Southworth Ferry Dock, will be open May 5 through May 29. Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) will be open May 26 through June 18.
Halibut fishing will remain closed in marine areas 11 (Tacoma) and 13 (southern Puget Sound) to protect three species of rockfish listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) will remain closed due to low dissolved-oxygen conditions.

 
In coastal areas, the structure of the coastal halibut season will be similar to last year, said Reed, noting that fishing seasons in marine areas 1-4 will remain open so long as there are halibut remaining to be caught under the area quotas.

 
"This year's coastal quotas are up by more than 17,000 pounds," Reed said. "Depending on catch rates during the course of the season, that could translate to extra time on the water in some areas."
All areas open to fishing have a one-fish daily catch limit, with no minimum size, a possession limit of one fish while on the vessel, and a possession limit of two fish in any form once the angler is on the shore.

 
The 2011 recreational halibut seasons approved for Washington's marine areas are:
 
Columbia River (Ilwaco):   Marine Area 1 will open May 5, three days a week, Thursday through Saturday until 70 percent of the quota is reached, or until July 17. The fishery will then reopen on Aug. 5 and continue three days a week (Friday through Sunday) until the remaining quota is reached, or Sept.30, whichever occurs first. The 2011 catch quota is 15,418 pounds.

 
South Coast (Westport/Ocean Shores):   Marine Area 2 will open on May 1, two days a week, Sundays and Tuesdays.  During the fourth week in May the fishery will be open Sunday only (May 22). Beginning the following week the fishery will resume the Sunday, Tuesday structure until the quota is reached. The northern nearshore area will be open seven days per week, until the quota is reached. The 2011 catch quota is 43,500 pounds.

 
North Coast (La Push/Neah Bay):   Marine areas 3 and 4 will open on May 12, two days per week, Thursdays and Saturdays, through May 21. If sufficient quota remains, the fishery will reopen the week of June 2. If sufficient quota remains after that opener, the fishery will reopen starting June 16. The 2011 catch quota is 108,792 pounds.

 
Strait of Juan de Fuca/Puget Sound:   Marine areas 6 through 10 (Strait, Port Angeles, Admiralty Inlet and Everett) will be open May 5 through May 29. Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) will be open May 26 through June 18. These fisheries will be open three days a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday closed Sunday through Wednesday except for Memorial Day weekend when they will be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The 2011 combined catch quota for these areas is 58,155 pounds.

[rasbo]

I want to do a charter outta neah bay or lapush,it would be cool if a few guys from here did it

[GUscottie]

I'd be down...I wanna do some charter fishing

[JKEEN33]

My dad and I fish out of Neah Bay every year. If anyone is taking their boat out, more than happy to give a few pointers in the right direction.

[KillerBeee]

I'll be at Neah.

[robodad]

I want to do a charter outta neah bay or lapush,it would be cool if a few guys from here did it

I'd be up for that, I think I can talk another member into going as well but the charters fill up very fast so we have to get on the ball !!!

[C-Money]

I really want to go! Cant wait! That would be a perfict birthday gift for me!

[rasbo]

I want to do a charter outta neah bay or lapush,it would be cool if a few guys from here did it

I'd be up for that, I think I can talk another member into going as well but the charters fill up very fast so we have to get on the ball !!!

Im looking now wow things are booking up..

[rasbo]

not much to choose from now fun fleet has 4 spots on the ninteenth of may,295.00 halibut ling and seabass if we have time the smaller boat will have more time la push

[robodad]

not much to choose from now fun fleet has 4 spots on the ninteenth of may,295.00 halibut ling and seabass if we have time the smaller boat will have more time la push

$295  Is that per person

[rasbo]

not much to choose from now fun fleet has 4 spots on the ninteenth of may,295.00 halibut ling and seabass if we have time the smaller boat will have more time la push

$295  Is that per person

yep thats the cheapest

[robodad]

Well being open for only 4 days (12th, 14th, 19th & 21st) I can see why they can get away with charging an arm and a leg for the day, the problem is the weather out there is so unpredictable that we are almost forced to go even on the crap days, even on a "Nice" Day out there is pretty rough to some folks but trying to schedule a trip out there hoping the weather is nice is a crapshoot at best !!!

[rasbo]

myself and woodman are booked there is two seats left, this is a bucket list item for me sooo what the heck,

[JKEEN33]

You will want to check into lodging at Neah Bay pretty quick also. Fills up fast out there. You use to be able to park in the lot they had with your camper, but they had a new building going up last year. There is a private campground just in town that I can get the contact info if anyone needs. There is also a small campground out of town on the Pacific side if you have a trailer or camper. Can get pretty windy on the Pacific side. The charters will go out in pretty much any weather. The smaller boats like us 19' have to watch the weaterh pretty close or fish the inside.

robodad, We are deffinately going to be out there Wednesday of both openers, if you are taking your own boat out I can either give you some gps points that we have been really succesful at or you can follow us out. We take it pretty slow when it's rough, usually a couple hours out then couple back, but the fishing the last 3 years has been really hot. usually get the halibut limit in about 30-60 minutes then go for some big lings if the water is nice.

We ususlly fish Thursday, then do some hiking/sightseeing Friday and fish again Saturday

Take a camera, If the fog clears up it's some of the best shoreline sights you are ever going to see.

[robodad]

robodad, We are deffinately going to be out there Wednesday of both openers, if you are taking your own boat out I can either give you some gps points that we have been really succesful at or you can follow us out. We take it pretty slow when it's rough, usually a couple hours out then couple back, but the fishing the last 3 years has been really hot. usually get the halibut limit in about 30-60 minutes then go for some big lings if the water is nice.

We ususlly fish Thursday, then do some hiking/sightseeing Friday and fish again Saturday

You bet I am interested, do you guys stay in a hotel or RV or something ??