OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced plans for the 2026 halibut fishing season, which will kick off April 2 in Puget Sound marine areas and April 30 in coastal marine areas.

"The recreational halibut season in 2026 will generally mirror the season structure we've seen adopted in recent years and that'll equate to a similar number of open days that occurred in 2025," said Heather Fitch, the WDFW intergovernmental ocean policy coordinator. "We work closely with our constituents to sustainably manage halibut fisheries, while maximizing time on the water. We'll monitor the catch this spring and provide as many days in August and September as the remaining quota can support."

The 2026 recreational season is based on a statewide quota of 286,356 pounds. The annual catch quota of 1.65 million pounds in 2026 is the result of an allocation that the International Pacific Halibut Commission approved Jan. 22 for fisheries in Washington, Oregon, and California.

The 2026 halibut recreational season details, pending final implementation through federal rulemaking by the National Marine Fisheries Service, are listed below.

In all marine areas open to halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction. Anglers must record their catch on a WDFW catch record card. The annual limit is six halibut per angler. 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 closed to halibut fishing. The only exception is that anglers can land halibut that they lawfully retained in Marine Area 5 into a port within Marine Area 4 when Marine Area 4 is closed.

Anglers should check the WDFW website to ensure a specific area is open prior to fishing. Refer to the WDFW bottomfish and halibut webpage for information on recreational halibut regulations and seasons. For in-season updates refer to the WDFW emergency fishing and shellfishing rules webpage.

2026 Puget Sound halibut seasons

• Sekiu and Pillar Point, East Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound (Marine Areas 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, and 10): Open from April 2 through June 30, seven days per week. Fishing may close before June 30 if the quota is taken. If quota remains after June 30, then the fishery may be open up to seven days per week in August and September. Puget Sound will be managed to an overall quota of 80,512 pounds.

Fishery managers remind anglers that barbless hooks are required for all species including halibut and bottomfish—except when using forage fish jig gear to target forage fish (herring, sandlance, anchovy, sardine and smelt). Refer to WDFW Marine Area Rules and Definitions in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules.

• Tacoma-Vashon Island, Hood Canal, and South Puget Sound (Marine Areas 11, 12, and 13): All areas are closed to halibut fishing to protect threatened and endangered rockfish species.

2026 coastal halibut seasons

• Ilwaco/Columbia River (Marine Area 1): All-depth fishery is open from April 30 through May 31 and June 4 through June 28 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays only. The fishery dates of June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23, may be added through in-season management regulations, if sufficient quota is available and will be decided in late May. Fishing may close before June 28 if the quota is taken. If quota remains after June 28, then the fishery may be open up to seven days per week in August and September. The nearshore fishery will not be open in 2026. The all-depth fishery will be managed to 19,299 pounds.
• Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2): All-depth fishery is open from April 30 through May 31 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays only; and from June 2 through June 30 on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays only. Fishing may close before June 30 if the quota is taken. If quota remains after June 30, then the fishery may be open up to seven days per week in August and September. This area will be managed to an overall quota of 65,857 pounds.
• La Push and Neah Bay (Marine Areas 3 and 4): Open from April 30 through May 16 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only; open May 22, 23, and 24; open May 28, 29, and 30; and open from June 4 through June 28 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. Fishing may close before June 28 if the quota is taken. If quota remains after June 30, then the fishery may be open up to seven days per week in August and September. The combined quota for both areas is 131,149 pounds.

For specific marine area locations, refer to WDFW Marine Area Rules and Definitions in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules.

Fishing regulations include depth restrictions and area closures designed to reduce encounters with yelloweye rockfish, which anglers must release under state and federal law. Fishery managers remind anglers that a descending device must be on board vessels and rigged for immediate use when fishing for or possessing bottomfish and halibut. Refer to WDFW's webpage for information about descending devices.

In waters seaward of the 120-foot bottomfish closure in Marine Area 5, lingcod may be retained on days open for halibut from May 1 through June 15, Pacific cod may be retained on all days open for halibut, and sablefish may be retained on all days open for halibut with a daily limit of two sablefish taken from waters seaward of the 120-foot bottomfish closure. Daily limits remain as specified in permanent rule for lingcod, Pacific cod, and for sablefish in waters less than 120 feet.

WDFW reminds anglers that creel staff will be present at many coastal boat launch ramps and access sites to gather additional information regarding fishing and crabbing trips. Anglers may be interviewed by multiple staff members who collect different sets of information based on the species caught. The information these staff members collect is important for fishery management.

Starting April 1, 2026, anglers may use an electronic catch record card (eCRC) to record and report statewide salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and halibut catch. eCRCs are available through the MyWDFW and Fish Washington® mobile apps and allow anglers to record and report catch directly on a mobile device. Learn more about becoming a mobile licensing customer.

WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.