Pacific Halibut (Marine Area 2) regulations
Washington · Curated reference from cited public sources · listings, not permission to fish or retain a catch · This selected Washington saltwater reference subset is not a complete rulebook.
SPECIES LINKS
FIELD GUIDE
Hippoglossus stenolepis
speciesBASICOne of the largest flatfish, surpassed only by the closely related Atlantic halibut. Native to the North Pacific and fished commercially, recreationally, and for subsistence.
HABITAT
North Pacific continental shelf; mature fish spawn along the shelf edge at 183–457 m.
SIZE
females up to 230 kg (510 lb)
TEXT CONDENSED FROM WIKIPEDIA, AVAILABLE UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0
SOURCESTALE — VERIFYWDFW fishing regulations ↗WASHINGTON · SPECIES Pacific Halibut (Marine Area 2) · AUTHORITY Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, “Halibut fishing starts April 2 in Puget Sound marine areas and April 30 in coastal marine areas” (2026) and “South Coast halibut and bottomfish seasons and regulations.” · EFFECTIVE YEAR 2026UPDATED MARCH 11, 2026 · CHECKED SEP 15, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · FRESHNESS ≤ 7 DAYSChecked more than 7 days ago — current status is unknown until verified.The WDFW page is an informational summary; the applicable state regulations and emergency rules are authoritative.
RULESSTALE — VERIFYVERIFYVerify official rules
Pacific Halibut (Marine Area 2) identification is educational; species identification does not establish legal applicability for Washington.
SPECIESLISTED SEASON WINDOWSJFMAMJJASONDBAG / LIMITMIN SIZELISTING
Pacific Halibut (Marine Area 2)South Coast Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores), all-depth fishery. Listed open dates may close early if quota is taken; Aug. 8-Sep. 30 opens only if quota remains. No minimum size. · Listed season windows: Apr 30, 2026 through Apr 30, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 1, 2026 through May 1, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 3, 2026 through May 3, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 5, 2026 through May 5, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 7, 2026 through May 7, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 8, 2026 through May 8, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 10, 2026 through May 10, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 12, 2026 through May 12, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 14, 2026 through May 14, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 15, 2026 through May 15, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 17, 2026 through May 17, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 19, 2026 through May 19, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 21, 2026 through May 21, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 22, 2026 through May 22, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 24, 2026 through May 24, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 26, 2026 through May 26, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 28, 2026 through May 28, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 29, 2026 through May 29, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 31, 2026 through May 31, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 2, 2026 through Jun 2, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 4, 2026 through Jun 4, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 7, 2026 through Jun 7, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 9, 2026 through Jun 9, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 11, 2026 through Jun 11, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 14, 2026 through Jun 14, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 16, 2026 through Jun 16, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 18, 2026 through Jun 18, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 21, 2026 through Jun 21, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 23, 2026 through Jun 23, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 25, 2026 through Jun 25, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 28, 2026 through Jun 28, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Jun 30, 2026 through Jun 30, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Aug 8, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026 · 1 fish listed · Last listed/reference: 1 fish daily; 6 fish annual; possession limit 2 daily limits (1 daily limit while aboard vessel).Verify official rulesWINDOWS UNVERIFIED · SEE NOTES——VERIFY
- LAST LISTED/REFERENCE LIMITS
- 1 fish daily; 6 fish annual; possession limit 2 daily limits (1 daily limit while aboard vessel).
- LISTED SEASON WINDOWS
- Apr 30, 2026 through Apr 30, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 1, 2026 through May 1, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 3, 2026 through May 3, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 5, 2026 through May 5, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 7, 2026 through May 7, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 8, 2026 through May 8, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 10, 2026 through May 10, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 12, 2026 through May 12, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 14, 2026 through May 14, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 15, 2026 through May 15, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 17, 2026 through May 17, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 19, 2026 through May 19, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 21, 2026 through May 21, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 22, 2026 through May 22, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 24, 2026 through May 24, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 26, 2026 through May 26, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 28, 2026 through May 28, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 29, 2026 through May 29, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- May 31, 2026 through May 31, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 2, 2026 through Jun 2, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 4, 2026 through Jun 4, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 7, 2026 through Jun 7, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 9, 2026 through Jun 9, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 11, 2026 through Jun 11, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 14, 2026 through Jun 14, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 16, 2026 through Jun 16, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 18, 2026 through Jun 18, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 21, 2026 through Jun 21, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 23, 2026 through Jun 23, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 25, 2026 through Jun 25, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 28, 2026 through Jun 28, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Jun 30, 2026 through Jun 30, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- Aug 8, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026 · 1 fish listed
- APPLICABILITY
- South Coast Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores), all-depth fishery. Listed open dates may close early if quota is taken; Aug. 8-Sep. 30 opens only if quota remains. No minimum size.
- SOURCE AUTHORITY
- Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, “Halibut fishing starts April 2 in Puget Sound marine areas and April 30 in coastal marine areas” (2026) and “South Coast halibut and bottomfish seasons and regulations.”
UPDATED March 11, 2026 · CHECKED Sep 15, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · EFFECTIVE YEAR 2026
WDFW fishing regulations ↗The WDFW page is an informational summary; the applicable state regulations and emergency rules are authoritative.
LAUNCH SITES
Curated launch sites in Washington (7)
Anacortes Marina
CHECK LIVE FORECAST →Washington · MARINA
Bellingham - Squalicum Harbor
CHECK LIVE FORECAST →Washington · MARINA
Ilwaco - Port of Ilwaco
CHECK LIVE FORECAST →Washington · MARINA
Neah Bay Marina
CHECK LIVE FORECAST →Washington · MARINA
Port Angeles - Boat Haven
CHECK LIVE FORECAST →Washington · MARINA
Shilshole Bay Marina - Seattle
CHECK LIVE FORECAST →Washington · MARINA
Westport Marina
CHECK LIVE FORECAST →Washington · MARINA
This reference does not grant permission to fish or retain a catch. Location, method, vessel, species identification, and emergency closures can change what applies. Verify the applicable official rules.