The halibut seasons for Puget Sound and the Pacific Coast have been announced for 2022!
WDFW has announced the details via email of the soon-to-open halibut seasons. For me personally, since I have a more capable big water boat, I plan to take much more advantage of the halibut opportunity.
I have a lot to learn about halibut fishing and I will of course share it with you all in a way that helps your journey as well. I’m sure there are many out there would who like to share your halibut knowledge too and if you reach out to me on IG @pacificnwbestlife, there’s maybe even an opportunity to jump on my boat to help out.
2022 Puget Sound Halibut Season
Sekiu and Pillar Point (Marine Area 5) will open May 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 27, 28, 29, June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30
Eastern Puget Sound (Marine Areas 6 -10) will open April 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 as long as there is sufficient quota.
Tacoma-Vashon Island, Hood Canal and South Puget Sound (Marine areas 11, 12, and 13) are closed to halibut fishing to protect threatened and endangered rockfish species.
Puget Sound will be managed to an overall quota of 83,210 pounds.
The above dates map to Thr – Sat openings for MA6-10 and Thr AND Sat for MA5. The Eastern Puget Sound (MA6-10) earlier opening as compared to 2021 and the consecutive days will really help anglers have more success and hit our quota in 2022.
MA5 will likely be very successful at getting their quota and I’m looking forward to a trip out there in May, staying at the excellent Van Ripers resort.
2022 Pacific Coast Halibut Season
Columbia River (Marine Area 1): The all-depth fishery opens Thursday, May 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, June 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, if there is sufficient quota. The nearshore area opens to fishing May 9 on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut/columbia-river. The all depth fishery will be managed to 19,037 pounds; the nearshore quota is 500 pounds.
Westport (Marine Area 2): The all-depth fishery opens Thursday, May 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26. If sufficient quota remains the all-depth fishery will open June 16, 19, 23, and 26 depending on available quota. If there is remaining quota, the northern nearshore area will open on the Saturday after the all-depth fishery closes and will continue seven days per week until the overall quota is taken. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut/south-coast. This area will be managed to an overall quota of 68,555 pounds.
Neah Bay and La Push (Marine areas 3 and 4) will open May 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 27, and 29, June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, and 30, as long as there is sufficient quota. The combined quota for both areas is 133,847 pounds.
So it looks like MA1-2 will predominantly have Thursday and Sunday openings throughout May and into June dependent on quota and depth restrictions.
MA3 and 4 are structured more like MA5 in terms of Thursday / Saturday openings. I would love to get out to these areas as well, but probably more like June timing.
