SOME OF YOU might remember the fallout from the state’s release of the Revised Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation Plan last year.
The magnificently mammoth document led to a 120-foot depth restriction for lingcod and bottomfish anglers inside the Strait of Juan de Fuca in 2010.
There were also rumblings even more fisheries — including halibut — could be affected by the depth restriction inside the Strait in years to come.
According to the picture painted by Heather Reed, coastal marine resources policy manager for the state, that will not be the case in 2011.
“In terms of any changes to where the [halibut] fishery occurs regarding depth,” Reed said, “I’m not anticipating anything like that [inside the Strait].”
Obviously, that’s good news for North Olympic Peninsula anglers.
A year ago after the rockfish conservation plan was released, state fish biologist Greg Bargmann told me the Strait halibut fishery could be affected by the restriction this year.
Now, it appears whatever effect, if any, on halibut anglers won’t be felt until 2012 or beyond.
Anglers will get a chance to hear the state’s plans of the 2011 halibut fishery at a public meeting in Olympia on Feb. 11 (no location or time set as of yet).
At the meeting, biologists will discuss the seasonal quota allotted to state by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, what the catch has been in recent years and how the 2011 seasons will be managed based upon that data.
Free weekend
Uncle Sam is throwing out a freebie this weekend in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Olympic National Park will waive its entrance fees Saturday through Monday as part of a nationwide observance of the birthday of the slain civil rights leader.
This is also the first of 17 free admission days to Olympic and other national parks as part of an effort to increase attendance at the parks.
The other 14 2011 free-admission dates are National Park Week (April 16-24); the first day of summer (June 21); National Public Lands Day (Sept. 24); and the weekend of Veterans Day (Nov. 11-13).
Before heading into the park, watch a special 30-minute video about King at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, 3002 Mount Angeles Road, in Port Angeles.
It will be shown at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
The road to Hurricane Ridge is now open daily from 9 a.m. to about 4 p.m., weather permitting.
Skiing and snowboard activities will run each day during the holiday weekend, including Monday, as long as the weather cooperates.
Both rope tows have been up and running for more than two weeks.
Check Friday’s outdoors column for an update concerning the status of the Poma lift.
There are also snowshoe walks with a ranger at 2 p.m. Friday through Monday. A $5 donation is requested. Sign-ups start at 1:30 p.m. at the visitor center.
You need to carry chains if you drive to the Ridge. Or you can take an All Points Charters and Tours van for $10. Phone 360-565-1139 to make a reservation.
Road status and current conditions are available by phoning the park’s recorded information line at 360-565-3131 or by visiting www.nps.gov/olym.
The park also delivers updates via the wonderful world of Twitter at www.twitter.com/hrwinteraccess.
Fundraiser dinner
Puget Sound Anglers-North Olympic Peninsula Chapter will hold its annual fundraising dinner and auction on Jan. 20.
Doors open at 5 p.m. at the Guy Cole Convention Center inside Carrie Blake Park in Sequim, with a free spaghetti dinner served at 5:30 p.m.
There will be a silent auction during the evening, with a live auction following dinner.
Proceeds provide a majority of the funding for the Kids Fishing Program at the Sequim water reclamation pond.
For more information, contact Herb Prins at 360-582-0836.
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Matt Schubert is the outdoors and sports columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. His column regularly appears on Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at matt.schubert@peninsuladailynews.com.
