Last week I had the opportunity to spend a few hours fishing for halibut and lingcod in Admiralty Inlet. While we were fishing and seeing several posts recently reporting catches of halibut and lingcod a regulation question came up. Fishing for lingcod, a bottomfish, is restricted to depths of 120 feet or less. Most halibut fishing occurs in depths greater than 120 feet. I assume that if a legal size lingcod was hooked while trying for halibut in water deeper than 120 feet it would have to be released. The more troublesome question was if you retained a legal lingcod, caught in less than 120 feet of water could you then go for halibut in deeper water. You would be fishing in an area, with a fish in your possession, that was not open for that fish. After considerable reading through the 2011/2012 regulations I did find this in the definitions section;

"Fathom Line (20 or 30) It is unlawful to fish for or possess bottomfish or lingcod seaward of a line approximating 20 or 30 fathoms when fathom restrictions are in place."

This would seem to prohibit fishing in waters deeper than 120 feet if you have a lingcod in your possession and in many cases prohibit going to pull a shrimp pot or your return to a boat ramp with a lingcod if you have to pass through waters deeper than 120 feet. I would be interested in hearing comments on and clarifications of this regulation.