Commercial Fishing Returns After 3-Year Closure; Recreational Anglers to See More Open Days in 2026
[Image from CDFW]
Significant improvements in key California salmon populations
— specifically Sacramento River fall-run Chinook and Klamath River fall-run Chinook — will allow for more ocean salmon fishing opportunities this year. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce that commercial ocean salmon fishing is back after being closed three straight years and that recreational ocean salmon anglers will have more opportunities in 2026. “Seeing our salmon populations recover is incredibly heartening and demonstrates what’s possible when we all work together – state and federal partners, tribes, sport anglers and commercial fishing interests, NGOs and others – to do what’s best for salmon,” said CDFW Director Meghan Hertel. “Salmon are part of the cultural fabric of California, and I’m delighted more Californians will have the opportunity to enjoy these magnificent fish whether that’s in the water, on the end of their fishing lines or on their dinner plates.”
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) finalized its recommendations for California’s recreational and commercial ocean salmon seasons and harvest limits at its April 7-12 meeting in Portland, Ore. The PFMC will forward its recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which will implement them into federal regulations. A summary of the recreational season dates, locations and harvest guidelines will soon be available on CDFW’s Ocean Salmon Fishery Information web page.
“The health of our salmon populations fluctuates with environmental conditions, and we’ve seen just how vulnerable these fish are to recent droughts, changing river conditions and a warming climate,” said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “This year’s return of ocean salmon fishing is an encouraging sign as we advance California’s long-term, science-based Salmon Strategy. Together with a range of partners, we’re restoring habitat, removing barriers, improving flow and reconnecting rivers to give salmon a better chance to survive in all conditions. This work is about balance — making improvements and modernizing water management to help nature thrive and our communities prosper.”
California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, put into action beginning in 2024, is laying the groundwork for California to restore and rebuild salmon populations. State agencies, tribes and other partners are making significant progress in achieving goals that include restoring and expanding habitat for salmon spawning and rearing, removing barriers and updating infrastructure for salmon migration. California has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years to support salmon throughout their various life stages.
More open fishing days come as welcome news following complete closure of recreational ocean salmon fisheries in 2023 and 2024, and only six open days in 2025.
In 2026, CDFW will implement in-season management in both commercial and recreational fisheries to ensure catch of rebounding salmon stocks does not exceed seasonal harvest guidelines. This is the first year of vessel-based trip limits and seasonal harvest guidelines for California’s commercial salmon fishery following the first use of an in-season management framework during California’s limited recreational ocean season in 2025. In-season management allows fishery managers to close salmon seasons early should harvest guidelines be reached.
In-season monitoring to actively manage commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries to align with harvest guidelines is identified as a priority action item in the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future.
Sport anglers are advised to check for updated information when planning a salmon fishing trip. Season dates, harvest guidelines/catch limits, bag/
possession, vessel limit information and gear restrictions can be found on CDFW’s Ocean Salmon Fishery Information web page as soon as it is available or by calling the CDFW Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (707) 576-3429. Public notification of any in-season change to conform state regulations to federal regulations is made through the NMFS ocean salmon hotline at (800) 662-9825. ###
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Want to really help the Salmon? Leave it closed. Only allow the tribes to catch a certain amount for substance.
It’s subsistence – kris. But thanks for “ALLOWING” the tribes. You so generous!
Rule #6: Also, grammar, punctuation, spelling criticisms should come from parents, teachers, and bosses not anonymous people on the internet. If you can understand what someone says, refrain from telling them how to edit their comments.
LOL the tribes have been over fishing for 60 years. Most fish gets sold on the black market or traded for meth. Prove me wrong……………..
The tribes have been fishing for literally thousands of years. It is only since the invasion of commercial fishing that we have reached a crisis. If you don’t understand that no evidence will convince you. Your statement is absurd
My friend knows a native on the Klamath who sells her black market salmon. Gill-netted fresh from the river. Pretty good price too!
“Prove me wrong”
Your long track record of unsubstantiated bullshit means it’s pretty safe to just assume you’re wrong.
Tribes are the worse thing for the fisheries on the river. Nylon gill nets are not traditional.
Too bad the idiots in the supervisors office have failed to keep the fish farm in play. It was a good deal for the county. But they managed to F it up big time.
I’m glad we get a salmon season this year but it seems we need better lobbyist here on the north coast. The quota for waters from horse mtn to the Oregon border is 3,900 fish whereas the quota for roughly the same size area from Pt Arena to pigeon point is 34,900. That seems a little lopsided in the allocation of resources. At least there are separate quotas this year. Last season the north coast fishing was shut down early because so many fish were caught out of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Salmon statistics are like covid statistics. We will get the number that fits their agenda.
NO commercial fishing on north coast and a mere 3900 sport quota
Better to go across the border and fish in Oregon where quotas a bag limits are more generous.
Anglers off the Brookings coast have been limiting out for weeks now.
Plus – no Klamath River or any other California Salmon cross the Ca /Oregon border out in the ocean! They turn around and go back south.
No commercial fishing on northcoast and a mere 3900 sport quota. The bay area gets 300000. Same fish. Politics again, as usual.
Huffman the JarJar sold us out again.
It is the commercial fishing that have depleted the waters of Chinook. Let’s make it fair and have more sport fishing and less haul for the commercial. At $40/lb the big boats are raking it in, and leaving mere chattel for sport, if you are lucky enough to even catch any.
No it’s not! Habitat degradation with Dams being the main culprit. Stop with the misinformation.