Recreational Pacific Halibut Fishery to Close August 13

August 11, 2015

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announces the recreational Pacific halibut fishery will close Thursday, August 13 at 12:01 a.m. for the remainder of 2015. Based on the latest catch projections, CDFW expects the 2015 quota of 25,220 pounds will be exceeded unless the fishery is closed. Authority to close the fishery resides with the International Pacific Halibut Commission and the National Marine Fisheries Service, which took action to close the fishery following consultation with CDFW.
 
Although poor weather limited fishing following the May 1 opener, excellent ocean conditions during the July 1-15 open period resulted in record Pacific halibut catch rates for California.
 
California's recreational quota and season dates for 2015 were the result of negotiations with anglers, the fishing industry, local community leaders and other state and federal partners. Beginning in 2015, CDFW committed to tracking the fishery during the season to ensure catch amounts would not exceed the California quota. The quota amount is determined annually, and is largely driven by results from the annual stock assessment conducted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
 
Pacific halibut occupy a large geographic range, from the Aleutian Islands southeastward through Alaska to British Columbia and throughout ocean waters of the Pacific Northwest. Along the West Coast, they are commonly found as far south as Point Arena in Mendocino County. In recent years, catches in northern California have increased, consistent with a general shift of the stock to the south and east.
 
CDFW field staff sampled public launch ramps and charter boat landings to monitor catches of Pacific halibut along with other marine sport fish throughout the season. Using this information, CDFW conferred with the National Marine Fisheries Service and International Pacific Halibut Commission on a weekly basis to review projected catch amounts and determine when the quota would be attained.

Better get out there tomorrow all you North Coasters. Last day!

With good seas and no real salmon showing without a run to the pinnacles the fleet has targeted halibut quite a bit. No real surprise, but bummed that I'll go another year without a pac but

They should have let it go through Thursday atbleast.  It's bs math that they use, but we knew what we were getting when we signed up.  Hopefully are rep fighting for us can get 1%;more added to the quota.  This just fuck up my plans to try one more time for Pacific halibut.  I sure am glad I stopped salmon fishing and dropped down a sardine in may for a chance at a halibut. The last 3 halibut trips have been skunks.

Rookie question here but what are the halibut that everyone catches in Tomales Bay?  Are those Pacific or California?  I've only ever caught Pacific halibut when I lived in Alaska but was hoping to fish Tomales for a chance at a but here in Cali.

Rookie question here but what are the halibut that everyone catches in Tomales Bay?  Are those Pacific or California?  I've only ever caught Pacific halibut when I lived in Alaska but was hoping to fish Tomales for a chance at a but here in Cali.

Those are California....you're good!!!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks Jim.  That's what I assumed.  I would think the Pacific halibut would only be found in deeper waters offshore.   In Alaska they would follow the salmon into the flats and could be caught in 15ft of water or so during the late summer/early fall when the coho salmon would come in.  That's why I figured I would seek some confirmation!  Better safe than sorry!!