The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has set the Pacific halibut fishing regulations for 2015 and the first fishing window is almost over.
The recreational fishery for halibut off California opened May 1 and closes May 15. Additional fishing dates are June 1-15, July 1-15, Aug. 1-15, and Sept. 1-Oct. 31, or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. The tonnage limit was set at 22,220 pounds, matching the limit set by federal fishing regulators.
“California’s increased recreational quota was the result of hard work with the industry and other states and their willingness to give up some quota,” said Marci Yaremko, the CDFW representative to the Pacific Fishery Management Council. “We are committed to ensuring this year’s catch does not exceed that number.”
Gear regs were also changed to match federal and international restrictions. State regulations now limit anglers to one rod and no more than two hooks per person to take Pacific halibut. However, new State regulations will allow the use of a harpoon, gaff or net to assist in taking a Pacific halibut that has been legally caught.
The season dates were determined through a collaborative effort between CDFW staff and stakeholders to provide as much fishing opportunity as possible between May and October, CDFW said in a news release. The open and closed periods are “intended to spread the fishing activity from spring through fall.”
CDFW field staff will again be stationed at public launch ramps and charter boat landings to monitor catches of Pacific halibut along with other marine sport fish. “CDFW will examine this information in comparison to expected catch rates and confer with the National Marine Fisheries Service on a weekly basis,” the release said. “If the cumulative catch is expected to reach or exceed the quota prior to Oct. 31, NMFS will close the fishery.”
CDFW has a new online “Pacific halibut thermometer,” see: www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pacifichalibut.asp, updated weekly with the latest catch projection information.
The State is asking fishers to check with authorities before fishing for halibut: National Marine Fishery Service Halibut Hotline, (800) 662-9825; CDFW Recreational Groundfish Regulations Hotline, (831) 649-2801, or the CDFW website, www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pacifichalibut.asp.
According to Wikipedia, Pacific halibut are found in the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. Fishing for the Pacific halibut is mostly concentrated in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea, off the West Coast of Canada. Small halibut catches are reported in coastal Washington, Oregon, and California. Pacific halibut is broken up into 10 regularity management areas.
Homer, Aka., claims the title of  “Halibut Capital of the World,” because of the large volume of both sport and commercial halibut fishing in the area. Halibut taken by anglers are generally 15 -20 pounds, but fish over 150 lbs are regularly caught. The current Alaska state record for a sport-caught halibut is 459 lbs and a fish must weigh at least 250 to qualify for the state’s trophy fish program.