Action: Sets opening dates for recreational halibut in Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) and Marine Areas 6–10 (Puget Sound). Raises annual halibut limit to six. Allows halibut legally retained in Area 5 to be landed in Marine Area 4 on days Area 4 is closed to halibut fishing. Allows retention of sablefish seaward of the 120-foot bottomfish closure.
Effective dates: April 2–June 30, 2026
Species affected: Pacific halibut
Locations and specific open dates and additional bottomfish rules for Marine Area 5:
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu):
- Halibut open seven days per week, as long as there is sufficient quota.
- In waters seaward of the 120-foot bottomfish closure sablefish may be retained on days open for halibut.
- Note: By permanent rule, Pacific Cod may be retained seaward of the 120-foot bottomfish closure when halibut is open, and lingcod may be retained seaward of the closure when halibut is open from May 1–June 15. All bottomfish follow daily limits listed in the 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
Marine Areas 6–10 (Puget Sound):
- Halibut open seven days per week, as long as there is sufficient quota.
Marine Areas 11–13 (Puget Sound):
- Halibut closed.
Halibut Rules:
- Daily limit is one, no minimum size. Annual limit is six halibut.
- All catch must be immediately recorded on a WDFW catch record card.
- Possession limit is two daily limits in any form, except only one daily limit while aboard the fishing vessel.
- Anglers cannot fish for, retain, possess, or land halibut into a port located within an area that is closed to halibut fishing, except anglers can land halibut that were lawfully retained in Marine Area 5 into a port within Marine Area 4 when Marine Area 4 is closed.
Reason for action: This emergency rule revises state rules, to conform with federal regulations.
Additional information: Recreational halibut is quota managed, days open are dependent on available quota and areas will close when the quota is projected to be taken. Puget Sound (areas 5–10) will be managed to a quota of 80,512 pounds. If quota remains after June 30, additional halibut fishing may be considered for August and September.
In Marin Area 5, the daily limit for Pacific cod is 2, and from May 1–June 15 the daily limit for lingcod is 1.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Heather Fitch, Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Coordinator, 360-581-5611