Pacific halibut seasons open May 1

The central coast fishery, from Cape Falcon just north of Manzanita to Humbug Mountain near Port Orford, is a very popular fishery among Oregonians. Anglers may fish inside the 40-fathom line (defined by waypoints) seven days per week, through Oct. 31 or until the 12,284-pound quota is met. The all-depth dates for the spring season are May 13-15, 20-22 and June 3-5. Backup dates (if sufficient quota remains) are June 17-19, and July 1-3, 15-17 and 29-31. The spring season catch limit is 105,948 pounds. The summer season opens Aug. 6 with scheduled open days every other Friday and Saturday until the total area all-depth catch limit of 141,265 pounds is taken or October 31, which ever occurs first.

The halibut fishery for anglers out of Columbia River ports, fishing the area from Leadbetter Point, Wash., to Cape Falcon, Ore., is also very popular. The spring season for that area opens May 1, Thursdays through Saturdays, until the 9,405-pound quota is met or July 18, whichever occurs first. The summer fishery opens Aug. 6 with scheduled open days every Friday through Sunday, until the total area quota of 13,436 pounds is taken or Sept. 27, whichever occurs first.

Of special note for anglers traveling from the Willamette Valley to Newport on the opening all-depth day: the Oregon Department of Transportation is planning a full closure of U.S. Highway 20 beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, May 14, until 6 a.m. Monday, May 17, to do blasting near the highway. Plan to use an alternate route. More information

South of Humbug Mountain the season also opens May 1 and is open seven days a week through Oct. 31.

Open dates are announced on the NMFS hotline (1-800-662-9825; #5; #1) and posted at www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP.

Statewide daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut, no length limit, with an annual limit of six fish. The possession limit is one daily limit at sea and three daily limits on land. Anglers are advised to check the regulations and waypoints for the Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area.

During days open to all-depth halibut fishing, most species may not be taken and retained, possessed or landed when Pacific halibut are onboard the vessel except salmon (using authorized methods during authorized seasons), sablefish, Pacific cod, tuna and most other offshore pelagic species are allowed to be retained. More information on halibut regulations

Waypoints for the inside 40-fathom fishery

General regulations can be found in the 2010 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

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