NEWPORT, Ore – Beginning June 25, the Pacific halibut all-depth and nearshore sport fishery is closed in the Columbia River Subarea for the remainder of the 2021 season.

Oregon and Washington share the recreational harvest quota in the Columbia River Subarea (Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon in Oregon). The two states agreed to the closure to prevent the available harvest quota from being exceeded.

In the Central Coast Subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain), two sets of back-up dates for the spring all-depth season will be open, July 15-17 and July 29-31. With more than 120,000 pounds remaining, announcing those back-up dates give anglers more time to plan their halibut fishing. The nearshore and Southern Oregon Subarea seasons also remain open until quota is met or Oct. 31. The Central Oregon Coast Subarea summer all-depth season opens August 5-7, scheduled every other Thursday through Saturday.

Pacific halibut anglers are reminded it is mandatory to have a descending device onboard the vessel and must be used to release any rockfish species when fishing 30 fathoms or deeper. Anglers can keep one Pacific halibut daily, six per year.

For more Pacific halibut season information, click here.

For information on when and where longleader gear fishery can be combined with Pacific halibut, click here.