That’s the question many anglers continue to ask. In simple terms, there’s more small halibut in the biomass. Combine that with the fact that commercial halibut longliners have a minimum size of 32 inches. This leaves more small halibut for the sport fishing sector.
According to Ian Stewart, Ph.D., a Quantitative Scientist for the International Pacific Halibut Commission, Pacific halibut growth is highly variable, both between males and females and within each as well as across different areas. The graph below shows the variability from fish we capture on our standardized survey (females in red, males in blue.)
The halibut most anglers are catching in the Strait this season range in size from 28 to 32 inches. Aging halibut by length/size is very difficult because males grow much slower than females. For instance, a 40-inch male halibut could be 18 to 20 years old while a female of the same size could be as young as six or seven years old. The only true way to age a Pacific halibut is to count the growth rings on their otolith, a small ivory-like ear bone in the halibut’s inner ear.
“Given the spread, these fish could be from cohorts born between 2014 to 2020,” explains Stewart. “We have seen some evidence in trawl surveys and recreational catches in Alaska of one or more-year classes between 2016 and 2018, so that would be my guess at present but the survey data from this year will likely help discern which of these is the largest.”
Stewart says the largest year class of halibut in the water now were born in 2012. He also says it is normal to see younger fish on average in Washington than elsewhere across the stock. He also says these halibut are highly migratory, so little is known where specific halibut in our 2A managed area were born. The International Halibut Pacific Commission manages the West Coast by area. Area 2A runs from California to Washington.
Is my halibut a male or female?
Halibut have gonads and are found at the bottom of their gut cavity. Female halibut have triangle ovaries with hollow light pink tinted sacs. The male halibut’s testes are gray and rubbery. So next time you fillet a halibut remember this and try to identify the halibut’s gender.
For more information about Pacific halibut data sets explore this link.
Since Opening Day of halibut season in the Strait of Juan de Fuca I have fished out of Port Angeles 7 times and boated 18 halibut so far. For some unknown reason, it has not been crowded at all. Perhaps it’s the combined blackmouth/halibut season happening in Sekiu right now, perceived bad tides or the belief there’s no halibut in the area.
Currents have not been bad most of the time but have occasionally required heavier weights. On several days the current prediction has been off by about two hours. As an example, last week I expected the current to run about 1.5 knots but upon anchoring it was slack current. This is proof you just can’t fully rely on “current predictions.”
Here’s some tips to help you catch more halibut.
Use smaller pieces of bait
Anchor when possible
Chum while anchored
Use underwater lights
Use a combination of lures
Check bait every 30 minutes
Bang the bottom with your lead every few minutes
When current starts pulling your gear off bottom increase your weights.
Be patient, don’t give up on your spot
When drifting, don’t drag bottom. Check baits more often. Drift on the level or down slope. When you get a bite make sure to give the halibut time to get the hook in it’s mouth.
Hopefully these tips help you catch more halibut. Be sure to check out my full product line of halibut fishing tackle at
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife would like input about the proposed additional halibut days in Mid-August through September. Remember though, these proposed sport fishing dates have not yet been approved so don’t try to plan trips until WDFW officials announce official dates.
Washington Recreational Halibut Initial Late Season Proposal 2023 Objectives
Provide opportunity across all areas
Attempt to fully utilize WA quota.
All dates subject to available WA quota.
Consider sampling constraints when setting schedule.
Puget Sound, Area 5-10 Open August 17 – September 30, or until WA quota achieved. 7 days/week North Coast Open August 17 – September 30, or until WA quota achieved. 7 days/week. South Coast and Columbia River* Open 4 additional days in each area, same days, 2 in August and 2 in September Options – choice is which specific days. August. 1. Open Friday and Saturday, August 25 and 26 OR 2. Open Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27
AND September 1. Open Friday and Saturday, September 8 and 9 OR 2. Open Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and 10 AND Open Friday, September 22 OR Open Saturday, September 23
As of June 18th, Washington’s sport halibut anglers have only caught approximately 50% of their quota. Sport halibut fishing will be closed July 1st, leaving thousands of pounds of quota on the books. In Marine Area 5 & 6 July 1st marks the opening of Chinook salmon season.
A reasonable person would conclude that some Marine Areas should remain open for halibut concurrently with salmon. This just makes sense. There’s salmon and halibut to be caught, numbers prove that. Opportunities for sports anglers should be a priority. However, fisheries managers at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) say no to a July halibut sport fishery!
Why?
They claim it is too hard for WDFW fish counters, the employees who check your catch at the docks, marinas and boat launches to count more than one species. Fish counters don’t check all boats/anglers. In places like Mason’s in Sekiu they routinely check a pre-determined formula. For instance, they might check every second or third boat. Fish checkers ask a series of questions, measure fish, take scale samples and they remove coded wire tags implanted in a part of the salmon’s head. All of this info is quickly added to an electronic tablet that updates to the WDFW system.
Counting halibut concurrently with salmon could not be that hard. Or am I missing something? While discussing this with a sports angler at Swain’s on Saturday, he said any third grader is capable of counting more than one species of fish. WDFW has a habit of being incredibly stubborn. Prior to the Halibut Catch Record Card, fisheries managers at WDFW told me the catch card would not affect the season at all. Of course, we have seen the results of the catch card, longer seasons and more accurate numbers instead of overly inflated made up numbers by fisheries managers.
Hopefully WDFW will re-open halibut fishing sometime in August, likely after Chinook season closes. If it does open in August, which it likely will, WDFW checkers will suddenly be capable of counting halibut as well as coho and pink salmon. For some reason counting Chinook salmon requires a degree of skill and training we simple-minded sports anglers can’t comprehend.
Alaska Native, Mary Sattler Peltola campaigned largely on fixing Alaska’s broken and depleted fisheries. As a new U.S. House of Representatives & member of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committe, Peltola is now in a position to fix a largely outdated Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The legislation was greatly needed to help keep foreign fleets off our fishing grounds and when passed in 1976 did that and more to bring control to our fisheries. But now, according to Peltola’s campaign platform and promises she can help bring about much needed changes to save halibut and other species of fish. Since 1976 only two changes have been made to the MSFCMA. Peltola is pushing a bill that would change the balance of power to include two Tribal seats on the North Pacific Management Council, the governing body that manages fisheries in Alaska.
How this will help Sports Anglers
Peltola supports further reductions in bycatch quotas and supports fisheries conservation to ensure Alaska Native Villages have sustainable amounts of halibut for subsistence fishing which is vital to these remote locales that rely on subsistence to survive. Conservation and reduced trawling will have an effect that goes farther than just Alaska. Alaska supports the vast majority of halibut numbers and is the main area for juvenile halibut.
A History of Alaska Bottom Trawlers
For years halibut numbers have been in decline. In my opinion, Alaska bottom trawlers have over fished. Bottom trawlers use nets large enough to fit a football field with goal posts. With a fleet of nearly 250 strong and drags that last up to 10 hours it does not take long to destroy habitat on the ocean floor while literally scooping up every living thing. And while dragging, many species are broken up into pieces not counted as bycatch. This is the underwater equivalent of a D12 bulldozer mowing down the forest to collect mushrooms.
Bycatch is what this whole issue is about and why support of Peltola is vital to the future of halibut. The trawl fleet targets pollack, yellowfin sole and many other species and brings to market between 3 to 4 billion pounds of fish annually. Bycatch totals, species that are not “targeted” such as halibut, rockfish and crabs are brought to the deck of the boat in the nets and then discarded. These discards number into the millions of pounds. An exact number is not available because it is impossible to calculate or estimate that which is not seen. In other words, crab that have broken apart and fall through the nets are not counted. Many smaller species of fish that are maimed or killed that fall through are not counted either. That still leaves thousands upon thousands of bycatch fish that do make it to the deck that legally can’t be kept. These fish are discarded overboard. Nearly two-thirds of the total halibut caught in the Bering Sea since 2006 has been bycatch taken in trawler nets and thrown overboard. The trawl fleet also claims their targeted species of pollack are mid-level, but studies show that 40 to 70 percent of the time the nets contact bottom. Also note, there’s still an entire fleet that specifically targets the bottom — all the time.
These factory trawlers do have an observer program in place, but that system is questionable, in my opinion. Workers who have worked on these trawlers have claimed to wait until the observers are not looking to throw bycatch overboard. In many cases the observers are in their bunk seasick. Observers obviously can’t witness everything that happens aboard a trawler. So, it becomes a cat and mouse situation, observers vs. commercial fishermen. Obviously, this system is flawed and ripe for dishonesty.
It is beyond my comprehension why our government would allow such a wasteful type of commercial fishing. Each pass of the net dragging on the ocean bottom destroys SeaLife and the fragile ecosystem that takes decades to rebuild. A very healthy and strong trawler lobby does however spend millions to keep their fishery as profitable as possible. In this case, follow the money is an accurate statement.
Let’s take a closer look at how bottom trawlers are managed.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council manages this commercial fishery worth billions each year. Governors from Alaska, Washington and Oregon appoint members to the 11-member council. These members include representatives of commercial and sport fishing as well as agency personnel. Currently four of the members have direct ties to the trawl industry. Also note, the NPFM is part of NOAA which is run by the Department of Commerce. After the Magnuson-Stevens Act was passed in 1976 it mandated that fisheries be managed for “optimum yield.” If Peltola’s goal is achieved it will drastically redistribute the power structure of the NPFMC, hopefully in favor of conservation and less on allowing trawlers to continually destroy bottom habitat while killing off vast numbers of halibut as bycatch.
As an example of the trawl fleets true intention, profit over conservation or the future of the halibut fishery, they continually drag Alaska’s closed zone in Area 4E. This area was created in the 1970s because it is a halibut nursery filled with juvenile halibut that weigh 4 to 6 pounds. No user group within the International Pacific Halibut Commission authority can fish in this zone. The zone was put into place as a conservation measure and for the future of halibut stocks. If you are wondering why the trawl fleet can fish, this closed zone it is yet another example of mismanagement by NPFMC and NOAA. You see, IPHC has no authority over the trawl fleet. While IPHC’s management of the halibut controls commercial and sport fishing directed at halibut, it has no governing authority over the trawl fleet. Makes no sense to me and further puts a spotlight on this mismanaged trawl fishery.
Bycatch is measured in pounds, not numbers of fish. A bycatch of 1,000 pounds of halibut could equal anywhere from 10 100-pound halibut or 250 4-pound halibut. When measured in numbers of fish versus pounds perhaps the general public might be more sympathetic of this destructive method of commercial fishing. In 2017 the trawl fleet had a bycatch of 319,000 halibut in the closed zone — the future of halibut recruits in the fishery. Many anglers and conservationists claim bottom dragging is unethical.
Let’s hope Representative Peltola succeeds and further reduces bycatch quotas.
Here’s the 2023 Washington sport halibut proposal by WDFW. This of course, is still subject to the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) renewing the same yearly quota for Area 2A (California, Oregon & Washington). During the past four years Area 2A enjoyed a more generous quota largely due to the Makah Tribe. https://halibutchronicles.com/category/iphc-halibut-area-2a/
Marine Area 1: May 4 through May 21: 2-days per week, Thursday, and Sunday Memorial Day weekend: Thursday, May 25 June 1 through June 25: 2-days per week, Thursday and Sunday, and Thursday, June 29 Marine Area 2: May 4 – 21: 3 days per week, Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday, and Tuesday, May 30 If sufficient quota remains: June 15, 18 (Thursday, Sunday) and June 22, 25 (Thursday, Sunday) Marine 3 and 4: May 4 through May 21: 2-days per week, Thursday, and Saturday Memorial Day weekend: Friday, May 26 and Sunday, May 28 June 1 through June 24: 2-days per week, Thursday and Saturday, and Thursday, June 29 All Areas: If quota remains after June 30, consider August and September dates.
High Catch Med Catch Low Catch Year Range 2018-2022 2019-2022 2021-2022 Average Daily Catch 2,364 1,902 1,600 Potential Days 33 41 48 Open on: 4/6/2023 Open through: 7 days per week 5/8/2023 5/16/2023 5/24/2023 5 days per week 5/20/2023 6/1/2023 6/10/2023 Open on: 4/13/2023 Open through: 7 days per week 5/15/2023 5/23/2023 5/31/2023 5 days per week 5/27/2023 6/8/2023 6/17/2023 *Through date does not account for potential adjustments around Memorial Day weekend.
Proposal for Discussion Puget Sound
Marine Area 5, 6-10
Open all areas at the same time.
April 6 through May 22: 5-days per week, Thursday-Monday
Memorial Day weekend: Friday through Sunday, May 26, 27, 28
June 1 through June 30: 7-days per week
If quota remains after June 30, consider August and September dates.
2023 Recommendation
• Puget Sound Open MA 5, 6-10 in April Five or seven days per week
• Coast: South Coast: three days per week in May, four additional days noticed in June North Coast and Columbia River: status quo
• All Areas: Option for seven days per week in August and September
Sequim resident, Bill Batson, on right, caught this “Barn Door” halibut that weighed 131 pounds.
After week one of the halibut opener on “inside” waters “Puget Sound” from MA 6 East, WDFW says 925 anglers caught 130 halibut with an average weight of 24 pounds for a weekly catch of 3,105 pounds. Remaining quota is 80,105 pounds going into week two.
Week two started off with great conditions, mostly calm water, blue skies and uncrowded waters. Friday was had good conditions with a few halibut hitting the docks. The biggest halibut so far was Bill Batson’s 131-pound Barn Door. Batson is no stranger to fishing and has caught quite a few big halibut but nothing quite this big on inside waters. Batson is CEO of Batson Enterprises in Sequim, makers of Rainshadow rods, & Alps guides. If you are wondering where he caught this monster it was somewhere within 30 minutes of Ediz Hook boat launch according to my sources. Remember, it’s not polite to ask for secret monster halibut spots.
Last Thursday I had two guests for a charter trip, but they needed to come in by Noon. After returning the guests to the dock I called a buddy to come down to Ediz Hook launch for an afternoon of fun fishing. He arrived within 40 minutes and we headed out into 229 feet of water. After drifting for a while I decided to try out my new LoneStar electric anchor winch spooled with 5mm Spectra line. Half an hour after anchoring my buddy caught a 32 inch halibut. Twenty minutes later my rod bent over with a 40 inch flattie. While we were somewhat lucky, we did do lots of things right, including finding a good place to anchor and dropping a chum bag on the downrigger to attract halibut from down current.
Robert Rohner of Sequim & PSA member with a keeper halibutSquidPro Charters Capt. John Beath with a 40-inch halibut
Friday I had a charter with a couple guys from the local PSA club. We anchored in a couple spots and by day’s end my two guests, Karl and Dave hooked four halibut and landed just one. Karl landed a nice 38-incher on a 5-inch Z2 Squid with a circle hook tipped with a whole herring.
North Olympic Peninsula Puget Sound Angler Club member, Karl with a nice 38-inch halibut
Saturday was a big disappointment because of extremely bad weather which included rough seas, lightning, thunder, sleet, snow, hail, winds, and buckets of rain. Most anglers choose to not venture out into the turmoil of water we call the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I canceled my charter for the day.
The following dates have been approved by the Pacific Fishery Management Council but are preliminary until approved by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and implemented into federal regulation. While preliminary, these dates are unlikely to change and can be used for planning purposes. Pacific halibut are quota managed, days open are dependent on available quota and Marine Areas will close when the quota is projected to be obtained. The following is intended to show the proposed season structure, but season dates are not guaranteed to be open.
It is permissible for halibut anglers to retain lingcod and Pacific cod caught while fishing for halibut in waters deeper than 120 feet on days that halibut fishing is open and is only allowed when the lingcod season is open.
May 5 through May 21, two days per week, Thursday, and Saturday
Memorial Day weekend, open Friday, through Sunday, May 27, 28, and 29
June 2 through June 25, three days per week, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Thursday, June 30
Marine Areas 6 – 10
To protect yelloweye rockfish, the retention of lingcod and Pacific cod is not permitted while fishing for halibut deeper than 120 feet in Marine Areas 6 – 10
April 7 through May 21, three days per week, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Memorial Day weekend, open Friday, through Sunday, May 27, 28, and 29
June 2 through June 27, three days per week, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Thursday, June 30
Puget Sound Region (Marine Areas 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10)
In all marine areas open to halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction. There is a four fish annual bag limit. Anglers must record their catch on a WDFW catch record card.
North Coast (Marine Areas 3 and 4)
The following dates have been approved by the Pacific Fishery Management Council but are preliminary until approved by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and implemented into federal regulation. While preliminary, these dates are unlikely to change and can be used for planning purposes. Pacific halibut are quota managed, days open are dependent on available quota and Marine Areas will close when the quota is projected to be obtained. The following is intended to show the proposed season structure, but season dates are not guaranteed to be open.
May 5 through May 21, two days per week, Thursday and Saturday
Memorial Day weekend, Open Friday and Sunday May 27, and 29
June 2 through June 25, two days per week, Thursday and Saturday, and Thursday, June 30
In all marine areas open to halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction. There is a four fish annual bag limit. Anglers must record their catch on a WDFW catch record card
The following dates have been approved by the Pacific Fishery Management Council but are preliminary until approved by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and implemented into federal regulation. While preliminary, these dates are unlikely to change and can be used for planning purposes. Pacific halibut are quota managed, days open are dependent on available quota and Marine Areas will close when the quota is projected to be obtained. The following is intended to show the proposed season structure, but season dates are not guaranteed to be open.
May 5 through May 22, two days per week, Thursday and Sunday
Memorial Day weekend, open Thursday, May 26
If sufficient quota remains, open June 16, 19, 23, 26
If sufficient quota remains after the all-depth fishery has closed, the northern nearshore area will open on the following Saturday. When quota is available, the nearshore area will be open 7-days per week until the remaining quota is taken.
The northern nearshore area includes the waters from 47° 31.70’ N. latitude south to 46° 58.00’ N. latitude and east of a line approximating 30 fathoms as described by the following coordinates:
47°31.70’ N. 124°37.03’W.
47°25.67’ N. 124°34.79’W.
47°12.82’ N. 124°29.12’W.
46°58.00’ N. 124°24.24’W.
Marine Area 1
May 5 through May 22, two days per week, Thursday and Sunday
Memorial Day weekend, open Thursday, May 26
June 2 through June 26, open two days per week, Thursday and Sunday, and Thursday, June 30
British Columbia: Open Now, 7 days per week, one fish daily halibut up to 126 cm, possession limit 2. Six fish annual limit.
SquidPro Tackle's Halibut Fishing Chronicles 