The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (OFWC) finalized the 2019 recreational halibut seasons at their meeting today in St. Helens, OR. The OFWC approved the staff recommendations for season dates. Details below:

Columbia River Subarea (Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR)

Nearshore season:  Open Mondays – Wednesdays inside the 40-fathom line off of Oregon beginning May 6, 2019 through the earlier of the quota, or September 30.

All-depth season:  Open May 2, May 5, May 9, May 12, May 24, May 26, and every Thursday and Sunday through the earlier of the quota, or September 30.

The two (2) open days a week is due to a request from the public during the fall of 2017 & again in 2018.  The thought behind this is that it may extend the fishery farther into June, or even July.  Note: the fishery will be open on Thursdays and Sundays, except for May 24^th, a Friday.

Central Oregon Coast Subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain)

Nearshore Season:  Opens June 1, seven days per week, inside the 40-fathom line, through the earlier of the quota, or October 31.

Spring all-depth season:  Fixed open dates: May 9-11, May 16-18, May 23-25, May 30-June 1, June 6-8. If quota remains, possible back-up dates will be June 20-22, July 4-6, and July 18-20.

Summer all-depth season:  Opens Aug 2-3, every other Friday and Saturday through the earlier of the quota, or October 31.

Southern Oregon Subarea:  Opens May 1, seven days per week, through the earlier of the quota, or October 31.

For additional information on the 2019 recreational halibut seasons, please see ODFW’s halibut webpage.

You’re going to need your 2019 Oregon Fishing License before you head out.  So click on the link or head to your nearest licensed agent.

Don’t panic if you don’t have a boat.  Oregon has some of the finest charter boats on the west coast serving sport fishing enthusiasts.  We don’t have a formal relationship with them, but the folks over at TripAdvisor put together a list of awesome charter services.  While you’re there, you can even find a place to stay during your visit.