Jump to 2024 Washington Halibut Season
Early openings and healthy quotas are a great way to start Washington’s Halibut Season
Washington’s Halibut season will kick off a little earlier this year than in years’ past, which will be a blessing for those of us that like to plan at least one fishing trip in the inland marine areas of the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands and Strait of Juan de Fuca before they all migrate outbound to the ocean. We should see yet another great fishing season as well in the offshore fisheries of the Washington Coast. I’ve put this post together to give everyone a simple area-by-area guide of the Halibut seasons, as well as individual links to our WDFW site for easy reference and the final word. Please use this as a basic guide and reference WDFW for all regulations and season updates. Here’s to hoping all of you calm seas, a steady harpoon jab, and great fishing!
Jump to Pacific Ocean Halibut Seasons 2023
Jump to Strait of Juan de Fuca and San Juan Islands Halibut Seasons 2023
Jump to Puget Sound Halibut Seasons 2023
What to expect of the 2023 Halibut season in Washington
Our Halibut fishing seasons in Washington are designed to give as many days in each area as possible, while sticking with a maximum harvestable quota. Some marine areas are clustered together into zones that have a set poundage of Halibut that can be caught, and once that number is caught, those marine areas will close for the year. If you scroll down to each marine area season below, you will see a link to the WDFW page that has season rules, dates and quota information. You should first check that out, and prior to your trip you should check again, as well as the emergency rules for the area you are going to make sure that the season is still open. The first couple days are usually safe in all marine areas, but as the season progresses, some areas are sure to close early due to quota. Some areas stay open through all the published dates and occasionally more are added. Once again, checking those two referenced links below will give you the information you need to plan your trip. A couple things that all marine areas have in common is that the daily limit is one Halibut per person, any size, and a maximum of 4 per year. Pick up a saltwater fishing license with a Halibut catch card.
Halibut stocks in Washington are carefully managed in accordance with the International Pacific Halibut Commission, which is a collaboration between US and Canadian fisheries managers to ensure that these highly migratory fish are not overfished in any marine waters. Our Halibut seasons have been pretty consistent and I believe we owe alot to the IPHC, as well as our local WDFW for the seasons we have.
2023 should be a great year for Halibut fishing in Washington in all open marine waters. Each region has its pros and cons.
South Washington Coast Halibut
South Coast areas of Westport and Ilwaco are easily accessible from Portland, Seattle and Tacoma areas, tend to have an abundance of Halibut, many people that go tend to catch and keep at least a 20 to 30 pounder with a larger ones in the mix.
North Washington Coast Halibut
North Coast areas of La Push and Neah Bay are more remote with added mileage and travel time due to their location, but it is a beautiful part of the state with a rugged and rocky coastline, an abundance of Halibut both within a couple miles from port as well as offshore, and what seems like a better percentage of large Halibut mixing in with the average catch of 20 to 30 pounds.
Strait of Juan de Fuca & San Juan Islands Halibut
Strait of Juan de Fuca is within boating range for many people in the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands, with ample ramps nearby and a shorter drive time from Bellingham, Everett, Seattle and elsewhere along the I-5 corridor. While the seas are typically calmer than the open Pacific Ocean, occasionally glassy, this is still open water and one needs to plan their trip according to the marine forecast. There will still be a good abundance of Halibut in the best fishing spots here, but not nearly as many as the offshore spots past the Pacific Coast.
Puget Sound Halibut
Puget Sound’s Admiralty Inlet and San Juan Islands offers the best access from Washington’s population centers and the calmest seas out of all the Halibut fishing spots. There is also less abundance of Halibut in these areas, but still more than enough to make it worth a one day trip to fish for them. Nearly every year at least one 100 plus pound Halibut is caught in these areas, along with many of the more expected 20 to 50 pound Halibut.
Washington’s Marine Areas
Halibut Fishing in the Pacific Ocean – 2023 Halibut Season
Each of Washington’s four main coastal ports offers great Halibut fishing. While most of the South Coast spots require a run of 30 to 40 miles to find the big Halibut payoff, North Coast fishers can pick the long run or fish closer to port, where nearshore Halibut habitat is abundant. Regardless of where you choose to launch, safety becomes the number one consideration, and preparation for the long distance trips can pay off big time.
Marine Area 1 – Ilwaco Halibut Fishing 2023
Halibut fishing out of Ilwaco can be pretty good for those that are familiar and comfortable enough with the Columbia River Bar to cross it. Halibut fishers head west and work the edges of the Astoria Canyon, where Halibut tend to enjoy hanging out.
It will be open May 4 through May 21, two days a week on Thursdays and Sundays. On Memorial Day Weekend it will be open Thursday May 25. From June 1 through June 29, it is planned to be open on Thursdays and Sundays. Please check the WDFW Columbia River quota status and MA1 emergency regulations before you go.
Marine Area 2 – Westport Halibut Fishing 2023
Westport is the busiest fishing port in Washington State, and for good reason. During the Halibut fishing season, throngs of private boats join the charter fleet at the popular Halibut fishing spots around the edges of Grays Canyon to load up on Lingcod and Halibut. Be prepared for a long voyage, deep-drop style fishing, and good catching.
It will be open May 4 through May 23, three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. On Memorial Day Weekend it will be open on Thursday and Tuesday (May 25 and May 30). If there is enough quota left uncaught, the following June dates may also be in play: June 15, 18, 22 and 25. Please check the WDFW South Coast quota status and MA2 emergency regulations before you go.
Marine Area 3 – La Push Halibut Fishing 2023
La Push is a tiny coastal town whose harbor is just inside the mouth of the Quillayute River. Once you motor out of the river mouth into the Pacific Ocean, lots of great Halibut spots offer good fishing.
It will be open May 4 through May 20, two days a week on Thursdays and Saturdays. On Memorial Day Weekend it will be open on Friday and Sunday (May 26 & 28) and from June 1 through 29 it will be open Thursdays and Saturdays. Please check the WDFW North Coast quota status and MA3 emergency regulations before you go.
Marine Area 4 – Neah Bay Halibut Fishing 2023
Neah Bay sits on the entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and provides a number of really good Halibut fishing spots. The beauty of Neah Bay is that it offers plenty of great offshore Halibut spots, but if you want to fish the Pacific inshore, you can catch Halibut close to the craggy coastline. Or if you please, stay inside the Straits and catch Halibut close to port.
It will be open May 4 through May 20, two days a week on Thursdays and Saturdays. On Memorial Day Weekend it will be open on Friday and Sunday (May 26 & 28) and from June 1 through 29 it will be open Thursdays and Saturdays. Please check the WDFW North Coast quota status and MA4 emergency regulations before you go.
Halibut Fishing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca & San Juan Islands – 2023 Halibut Season
The Strait of Juan de Fuca is a vast body of water that holds many great Halibut fishing areas. On the west end, the ocean-like features of the Strait cause most Halibut anglers to focus on the steep structure nearest to the ports of Sekiu and Neah Bay nearest the shoreline. But as you head East, large underwater banks are scattered throughout the Strait, and people find a good number of Halibut here throughout the season. For those that prefer to stay out of the open Pacific Ocean, the Strait of Juan de Fuca offers them a great chance and catching Halibut.
Marine Area 5 – Sekiu Halibut Fishing
At the extreme west end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca is the small fishing hamlet of Sekiu. Every spring, it is becomes basecamp for many Halibut hunters. There are a few mentionable spots in Marine Area 5, and they are responsible for big harvests. Pillar Point, Kydaka Point, and Sekiu River in 200′ to 400′ are all very popular and can be productive.
It will be open April 6 through May 22, five days a week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. On Memorial Day Weekend it will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 26, 27, 28). In June it will be open all month, seven days a week. The fishing season is based on a catch quota once that is caught, they will close it. Please check WDFW Puget Sound/Strait quota status and MA5 emergency regulations before you go.
Marine Area 6 – Eastern Strait, Port Angeles, Sequim Halibut Fishing 2023
The Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca is a really happening place during the Marine Area 6 Halibut season. Its many underwater banks are a great place to fish for Halibut. Whether fishing on anchor or drifting, look towards Hein Bank, Partridge Bank, Dallas Bank, Eastern Bank and Smith Island as great places to hunt for Halibut.
It will be open April 6 through May 22, five days a week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. On Memorial Day Weekend it will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 26, 27, 28). In June it will be open all month, seven days a week. Please check WDFW Puget Sound/Strait quota status and MA6 emergency regulations before you go.
Marine Area 7 – San Juan Islands, Bellingham Halibut Fishing 2023
The San Juan Islands have a mazework of passageways and channels between its islands, connecting the small harbors and marinas to some great Halibut fishing areas. Most anglers head south and west to Salmon Bank, Middle Bank, or into Marine Area 6. Every year, there are a number of Halibut that are caught around the islands, as well as to the north at Alden Bank, Boundary Pass and in the Strait of Georgia.
It will be open April 6 through May 22, five days a week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. On Memorial Day Weekend it will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 26, 27, 28). In June it will be open all month, seven days a week. Please check WDFW Puget Sound/Strait quota status and MA7 emergency regulations before you go.
Halibut Fishing in the Puget Sound – 2023 Halibut Season
For a easy day-trip from Seattle, Everett, Edmonds, Kingston or anywhere else in Puget Sound, there are areas where you have a good shot at catching a Halibut during the spring season. Halibut are already on their out-migration by the time it opens in April, but there will be a bunch of them caught in Admiralty Inlet. I’ll never forget a trip to Mutiny Bay a few years’ ago where we caught three at tide change! The quantity is not great, but there is the potential to catch a few 30 pounders or possibly land a barn door.
Marine Area 9 – Admiralty Inlet Halibut Fishing 2023
Admiralty Inlet connects Puget Sound to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and is known as the furthest inland marine area that you can realistically catch Halibut. Mutiny Bay and Admiralty Bay are the primary Halibut fishing areas, but occasionally one is caught off Foulweather Bluff or in Skunk Bay.
It will be open April 6 through May 22, five days a week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. On Memorial Day Weekend it will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 26, 27, 28). In June it will be open all month, seven days a week. Please check WDFW Puget Sound/Strait quota status and emergency regulations before you go.
Marine Area 10 – Seatttle, Bainbridge Island, Bremerton Halibut Fishing 2023
Can you really catch Halibut near Seattle? Officially, there is a Halibut season in central Puget Sound, but the probability of actually catching one is extremely low during the season. So much so that there is very little effort. Most Halibut fishers will travel the distance to Admiralty Inlet or the Strait of Juan de Fuca to have a serious shot at catching one. These fish are highly migratory, and the few that do make their way into Puget Sound are already heading out by the time it opens to fishing.
It will be open April 6 through May 22, five days a week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. On Memorial Day Weekend it will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 26, 27, 28). In June it will be open all month, seven days a week. Please check WDFW Puget Sound/Strait quota status and emergency regulations before you go.
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