The state Department of Fish and Wildlife earlier today said the recreational halibut fishery will close in the northern nearshore area of Marine Area 2 at the end of the day Friday. The agency also said marine areas 3 and 4 will reopen for one more day of fishing June 14.

Heather Reed, a fish biologist, said anglers are expected to reach the halibut quota for the northern nearshore area of the Westport area by the end of Friday.

The rest of Marine Area 2 is already closed to halibut fishing.

Reed said for the other areas, there is sufficient …

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The state Department of Fish and Wildlife a short time ago announced the seasons for halibut fishing around the state.

The season will be four days longer in Puget Sound, and more fish will be available for harvest early in the season off the state’s southern coast under catch quotas for 2012 adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission.

Unfortunately, there will be no halibut fishing allowed in the South Sound this season.

Here is the rest of the news release:

Although the state’s recreational catch quota is down slightly from last year, Puget Sound anglers will get an extra

…

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The recreational halibut fishery off the north coast will reopen June 3 and 5, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife just announced.

Marine areas 3 and 4 (La Push and Neah Bay) will be reopen for halibut fishing in all waters from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on June 3 and again on June 5.

The halibut fishery in those areas was open on Thursdays and Saturdays, May 13 through Saturday. Poor weather last weekend resulted in fewer fish being caught than was expected. Sufficient quota remains in these areas to offer anglers two days in early …

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