2022 Halibut Seasons & Halibut Limits

Washington  Halibut Seasons

2022 halibut seasons - Preliminary

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.

Marine Area 5 -- Sekiu halibut guide click here...

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

Check for additional information as the season progresses in the emergency rules website.

South Coast (Marine Area 2)

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.

Alaska: Open Now, 7 days per week in S.E. Alaska, un-guided anglers may keep two halibut any size. Guided anglers may keep one fish daily. S.E. charter halibut upper size limits have not been announced yet. Please check area limits and slot sizes in S.E.