Central Coast all-depth halibut fishing closes until Aug. 4, July 11

Decent weather and good fishing last weekend, especially on Saturday, allowed anglers to harvest most of the remaining quota for the Central Oregon Coast (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt.) spring all-depth sport halibut fishery. Therefore, there will be no additional back-up dates open. The summer all-depth fishery opens Aug. 4-5, and occurs every other Friday and Saturday until the quota is taken or Oct. 31, whichever is first. “The June 30-July 1 openings had good enough weather, especially on Saturday, that many anglers were able to get out fishing with good success for halibut,” said Lynn Mattes, ODFW’s halibut project leader. Total catch for the spring all-depth fishery is 145,634 pounds, which leaves only 6,078 pounds remaining—not enough to open for any additional spring all-depth days. The remaining pounds will be added to the summer all-depth quota, giving an adjusted quota of 66,281 pounds. The Central Oregon Coast Subarea nearshore (inside 40 fathoms) and the Southern Oregon Subarea (Humbug Mt to the OR/CA Border) both remain open seven days per week until the quotas are taken or Oct. 31, whichever is earlier. For the latest season information on halibut fishing visit:  http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/index.asp