Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; 2026 Catch Sharing Plan; Inseason Action
Published Date: 7/27/2026
Rule
Summary
NMFS announces an inseason action for the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds fishing dates in August and September in the Columbia River and Washington subareas. These actions are intended to provide additional fishing opportunity for anglers in 2026 and are necessary to achieve the overall recreational fishery allocations for Area 2A established in the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) 2026 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and the 2026 IPHC regulations.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Puget Sound: More August–September Days
If you fish in the Puget Sound subarea, NMFS opens the area 7 days per week from August 8 through September 30, 2026. Through June 30, anglers had taken 46,791 lb of a 80,512 lb allocation, leaving 33,721 lb (41.9 percent) available for these additional dates.
North Coast: Open Aug 8–Sept 30
If you fish in the Washington North Coast subarea, NMFS opens the area 7 days per week from August 8 through September 30, 2026. Through June 30, anglers had taken 58,194 lb of a 131,149 lb allocation, leaving 72,955 lb (55.6 percent) available for the additional dates.
South Coast: Open Aug 16–Sept 30
If you fish in the Washington South Coast subarea, NMFS opens the area 7 days per week from August 16 through September 30, 2026. Through June 30, anglers had taken 38,229 lb of a 65,857 lb allocation, leaving 27,628 lb (42.0 percent) available for these extra dates.
Columbia River: Open Aug 16–Sept 30
If you fish in the Columbia River subarea, NMFS opens the area 7 days per week from August 16 through September 30, 2026. Through June 30, anglers had taken 11,743 lb of a 19,299 lb allocation, leaving 7,556 lb (39.2 percent) available for the additional dates.
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