All-Depth Halibut Fishing on the Central Coast Ends in Oregon
OutdoorHub 08.23.12
Fishery managers determined there was insufficient quota to reopen the central coast all-depth Pacific halibut fishery again this year. Less than 5,000 pounds of quota remains following the Aug. 17-18 summer all-depth weekend; not nearly enough to extend the season.
The central coast fishery, from Cape Falcon just north of Manzanita to Humbug Mountain near Port Orford, is the most popular halibut fishery among Oregonians. The summer fishery opened Aug. 3 with a quota of approximately 47,000 pounds, which included some leftover quota from the spring all-depth fishery.
“All-depth halibut fishing was excellent all year,” said Patrick Mirick, ODFW’s assistant project leader for halibut. “Very calm seas on the second summer all-depth opener allowed a lot of folks the opportunity to fish, and they did really well.”
The halibut quota for Oregon was 8.7 percent higher than last year and the highest since 2008.
Anglers may still fish for Pacific halibut in the Columbia River area or south of Humbug Mountain. Columbia River fishery (from Leadbetter Point, Wash., to Cape Falcon, Ore.) is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Aug. 3 to Sept. 30 or until the combined spring and summer quota of 11,985 pounds is harvested, whichever comes first. South of Humbug Mountain, the season is open seven days a week through Oct. 31.
More details on regulations can be found at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/ or in the 2012 Oregon Sport Ocean Regulations for Salmon, Halibut and Other Marine Species booklet. General regulations can be found in the 2012 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
