Friday is last day for halibut in Columbia River Subarea, June 23

The Pacific halibut nearshore recreational fishery in the Columbia River Subarea will close for the remainder of 2017 effective 11:59 p.m., Friday, June 23. The entire recreational Pacific halibut fishery quota (all-depth and nearshore) for the Columbia River Subarea will have been met by then, according to fishery managers ODFW, WDFW, IPHC and NFMS. The fishery will remain closed for the rest of the year. Opportunities to fish for Pacific halibut still remain open in other areas of Oregon – Off the Central Oregon Coast, between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain, anglers can fish for Pacific halibut inside the 40-fathom regulatory line, seven days per week until Oct. 31, or attainment of the 28,897 pound quota for that fishery. There will be an announcement by noon on Friday, June 23 if enough quota remains for any back-up dates for the spring all-depth season. The summer all-depth season is scheduled to begin Aug. 4-5, and will be open every other Friday and Saturday until Oct. 31, or attainment of the 60,203 pound quota for that fishery. The area between Humbug Mountain and the OR/CA border is open for Pacific halibut seven days per week through Oct. 31, or until the quota of 10,039 pounds has been met. Days on which Pacific halibut fishing is open will be announced on the NOAA Fisheries hotline (1-800-662-9825) and posted on the ODFW Marine Resources Program sport halibut webpage.