More Chances at Some Halibut Are on the Way
By Mark Yuasa, Seattle Times
May 27–The highly popular halibut fishery off the northern coast will reopen this Thursday only.
Rough seas and windy weather off Neah Bay and La Push [Marine Areas 3 and 4] prevented many anglers from getting out of port on May 19, the last day fishing was open.
That left 24,888 pounds of halibut still on tap from a May catch quota of 83,663 pounds.
Phil Anderson, assistant to the state Fish and Wildlife director, pointed out that anglers fishing May 15 and 17 hauled in a record catch rate of 2,100 halibut. The fish averaged 21.9 pounds.
Neah Bay and La Push will reopen for halibut fishing on June 19 and 21 under another catch quota. Fishing during that time will be restricted to water no deeper than 30 fathoms.
Halibut fishing at Ilwaco closed Saturday after fisheries managers determined the area had reached its catch quota.
“They were doing well for halibut at Ilwaco, and we will do an update to see where we are in the catch quota,” said Wendy Beeghly, a state Fish and Wildlife coastal biologist.
The only other halibut-fishing options left are the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Sekiu eastward and Puget Sound, which are open Thursdays through Mondays only. Hood Canal is closed for halibut.
In the meantime, bottomfishing off the coast continues to be an excellent choice.
“Bottomfishing is quite successful at Westport and Neah Bay,” Beeghly said. “When the weather allows people to get out on the water, there are lots of lingcod and black rockfish at Westport. But it has slowed somewhat for lingcod at Neah Bay, which is typical for this time of the year.”
Word on shrimp
The Hood Canal spot shrimp season will live to see another day as angler turnout this past Wednesday was lower than expected.
“The weather was calm again, however, effort was below what was expected,” said Therese Cain, a state Fish and Wildlife shrimp biologist.
The total sport shrimp catch during the five days fishing has been open since May 5 is 74,016 pounds, which leaves 10,984 pounds more to catch.
The aerial survey last Wednesday counted 468 boats, and 121 boats checked averaged 3.5 pots per boat for a total catch of 11.7 pounds per boat.
“We will determine which day to reopen the recreational Hood Canal shrimp fishery [but] we will not reopen until after June 1,” Cain said.
Notes
–The Seahawks and C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation Charity Bass Tournament BBQ and live auction is 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 1 at the Southport in Renton, which is adjacent to Gene Coulon Park on Lake Washington.
Guests can bid on a chance to fish with a Seahawks player or coach during the fishing tournament on June 2, plus enter a raffle to win Seahawks memorabilia and other items. Cost is $30. Details: 425-251-3202 or www.castforkids.org.
–The Washington Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society Habitat Work Day is June 23 in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Details: 206-667-8211 or 206-793-5336.
–The Mount Rainier National Park Education Program is offering summer workshops for teachers.
Dates are: July 12-13, Elementary Geology Workshop; July 17-20, Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard; July 25, New Mount Rainier National Park Education Center Elementary Level; Aug. 1, New Mount Rainier National Park Education Center Secondary Level; Aug. 9-10, Mount Rainier National Park History and National Park Service Mission, History and Careers.
There is no registration fee, but advanced registration is necessary. Registration deadline is June 1. Details: www.nps.gov/mora/forteachers/professionaldevelopment.htm or 360-569-6039.
–The Washington Trails Association is hosting an event titled: Families Go Hiking, a series of interactive educational clinics and guided hikes for families.
All hikes begin at 10 a.m.; reservations are required. Dates: July 21, Rattlesnake Lake, Hiking with Toddlers, coinciding with TrailsFest; Sept. 15, Park Butte-Railroad Grade, exploring nature using your five senses; and Oct. 13, Heather Lake, fabulous fall colors.
There also will be a clinic at 6 p.m. June 26 at the Seattle REI store that will teach the basics of hiking with kids of all ages, including trip planning, trail food, safety tips and what to bring on hikes. Kids activities provided. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.
–The Washington Fly Fishing Club dinner meeting is 5:30 p.m. June 19 at the College Club of Seattle, 505 Madison St. in Seattle. Guest speaker is chef Tom Douglas, who will discuss how to cook fish. Reservations are required to attend the dinner meeting. Details: www.wffc.com.
–The Washington Butterfly Association is hosting a free presentation at 7 p.m. on June 6 titled: “The Elusive Butterflies of Washington,” at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle. Guest speaker is Bob Hardwick. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.
Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com
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Copyright (c) 2007, Seattle Times
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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