California salmon season 2023 Columbia Basin hatchery coho salmon and Oregon Coast Natural coho mark bright spots with a third consecutive year of strong forecasted returns and season openings beginning mid-June. Credit: California Department of Fish and Wildlife How Monitoring Works. 2022-2023: 4,509: Fall Steelhead. For more information, contact CDFW online at www. 2023 Federal Regulations for West Coast Salmon Fisheries . /Mexico border). Despite the conservative approach taken by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) the past two seasons to close fisheries off the California coast in 2023 and 2024, apprehension remains regarding the status of California’s Chinook populations. For freshwater fishing, note that Coho Salmon are always off-limits, while Chinook Salmon face strict restrictions and they can only be targeted in certain bodies of water, which you can check out here . or . 2023-2024 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations 2022 to conform to Jul 15, 2022 · California Fish and Game Commission The Mission of the California Fish and Game Commission is, on behalf of California citizens, to ensure the long term sustain-ability of California’s fish and wildlife resources by: • Guiding the ongoing scientific evaluation and assessment of California’s fish and wildlife resources; Apr 7, 2023 · California cancels salmon fishing season 03:35. /Mexico border and in both the Oregon and California Klamath Management Zones for the 2023 season. Nov 13, 2023 · Statewide closure of California’s 2023 commercial and recreational salmon fishing season to protect the Central Valley fall-run Chinook population; the commercial and recreational salmon fishing fleet, which funds the production of ocean enhancement fish at the hatchery, forewent the season and contributed to this year’s success. Applications for the 2023 California Salmon disaster will become available at noon on Monday, March 3rd. Mar 8, 2023 · California salmon fishing may face restrictions after decline in fall-run chinook issued a joint statement calling for an immediate closure of the 2023 salmon season and requesting that Gov Jan 6, 2025 · “Extreme climate disruption is compounding these factors and is now testing the resiliency of our salmon. California’s salmon population has declined so severely over the last Sent by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. nsn. Ocean Salmon Hotline . Governor Eleni Kounalakis requested Secretary of Commerce Gina M. The 2023 salmon disaster application administered by PSMFC opened up on March 3 and will close on June 1. 6 million in relief funds would be distributed in California for the fall 2023 salmon fishery resource disaster. are nearly 50,000 lower than estimates made for the 2024 season and more May 16, 2024 · This latest closure follows the complete 2023 salmon fishing season shutdown that devastated the commercial and recreational salmon industry, and marks the fourth year in California’s history that salmon fishing has been closed. In the late 1970s, well over 4750 vessels participated in the salmon fishery. This year, forecast numbers are down, and it is likely that there will be no commercial or recreational salmon fishing in 2023. And if these forecasts are accurate, Chinook salmon will once again be scarce this year in both the ocean and rivers. Ocean Salmon. The 2023 commercial and sport fishing closure is designed to ensure that adequate numbers of fall run salmon, the primary stock of the fishery, return to spawn this year and begin the recovery of the population to allow future fisheries. Mar 7, 2025 · California's salmon population has declined so severely over the last several years that regulators canceled the fishing season in 2023 and again in 2024. Through this final rule, NMFS establishes fishery management measures for the 2023 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California and the 2024 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 16, 2024, under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Mar 24, 2025 · Salmon fishing is currently banned in California’s saltwater fisheries due to successive poor spawning seasons. May 16, 2023 · NOAA Fisheries is issuing a final rule to implement fishery management measures for the 2022 ocean salmon fisheries. m. This action follows recent projections showing Chinook Salmon abundance in California’s ocean waters is at historic lows. gov. Apr 7, 2023 · California salmon fishing slated to shut down this year due to low stock Federal 2023 12:53 PM ET. gov, call the North-ern Region Eureka Field Office at 707-445-6493, or inquire at any visitor center. Mar 15, 2023 · Each would close the 2023 season, with the possibility of a reopening in 2024. 2025 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations Booklet Updated January 1, 2025 See our "what's new" page for updates for 2025. ” With California fishers unable to harvest salmon, the state is seeking USD 47 million (EUR 45. 5. Salmon fishing was previously closed in 2008 and 2009. In response, California lawmakers wrote a letter to the administration of U. (Photo by Michael Humling/U. Chinook salmon head into California’s rivers to spawn every year, and many rivers host multiple runs, often one in the spring and one in the fall. California lawmakers, including U. 6 million) in financial relief – the equivalent of the five-year average of the state’s combined commercial and recreational salmon Mar 12, 2023 · “The 2023 salmon season discussions have been dominated by the severely low forecasts for both the Klamath and Sacramento River fall Chinook stocks”, said council Executive Director Merrick Tips and advice on beach fishing for California halibut and surf fishes. Year Population Trend; 2022-2023: 82 The low ocean abundance forecasts, coupled with low 2023 returns, led the PFMC to recommend full closure of California’s commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries. Visit www. S. net> 3rd update: Sunday, March 2. psmfc. Mar 13, 2025 · Use of these strategies in 2025 ocean fisheries is expected to keep catches within pre-season projections. The closure of all California salmon fishing in 2023 brought an uptick in salmon escapement to 133,000 in the Sacramento River, which is somewhat positive. Applying in the Exclusive Economic Zone (3-200 nautical miles) off the Coasts of . Apr 7, 2023 · California populations of salmon fluctuate. Washington, Oregon, and California . President Joe Biden in April 2023 asking them to approve financial relief urgently. An introduction to the Pacific Fisheries Management Council. The final decision will come during a session that begins April 1. are listed at the end of the booklet. What You Need to Know 2022/2023 California Sport Fishing Regulations: Smith River Body of Water Open Season & May 1, 2024 · In a letter dated April 6, 2023, California Lt. While the salmon decline has been going on Apr 7, 2023 · California officials say they want federal disaster relief for the state’s salmon fishing industry after the 2023 fishing season for fall-run Chinook or king salmon was closed for much of the Mar 4, 2025 · Salmon fisheries were closed for two consecutive years in a row in 2023 and 2024, and forecast numbers for 2025 are lower than both those seasons, Kandice Morgenstern, an environmental scientist Apr 7, 2023 · NEWPORT, Ore – The Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) yesterday finalized the 2023 ocean salmon seasons. Rep Jared Hoffman and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s news conference on Friday, April 7th. Fishing boats at a dry dock in Richmond on March 8, 2023. • From Cape Falcon to the Oregon-California border, the recreational hatchery mark selective coho salmon season Apr 6, 2023 · SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom and Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis announced a request for a Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration to support the salmon fishing industry as it faces a closure for the 2023 salmon season. The end of salmon season has left him struggling to make a living. ” Warnings have been building that California might need to cancel its salmon season for the first time since 2009. The 2022 recreational ocean salmon season dates for the California coast are as follows: In the Klamath Management Zone, which is the area between the Oregon/California state line and 40°10’00” N. • 2023 seasons adopted by the Council are on the ‘Annual season management process’ page • Final analyses of the biological and socioeconomic impacts will be posted on the Council web page on or about April 18 (look for 2023 Preseason Report III on this page) • Fact sheet: Salmon • Fact sheet: Geography of Salmon Mar 16, 2023 · SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Salmon season is closed for all of 2023. Feb 26, 2025 · Sacramento River Fall-Run Chinook, historically the largest contributor to ocean salmon harvest off California and Oregon, have experienced dramatic declines over the last 5 years – resulting in closed salmon fishing seasons in 2023 and 2024, tens of thousands of commercial and recreational fishermen out of work, and fishing businesses facing Mar 8, 2024 · The ocean and river salmon seasons in California are likely to be closed or severely restricted this year based on low abundance forecasts. wildlife. This year, state estimates show the Mar 7, 2025 · Chinook salmon populations in California are still declining, despite salmon fishing being banned for two years. OCEAN SALMON SEASON ALTERNATIVES . Raimondo declare the 2023 salmon season a disaster in accordance with section 312(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Mar 15, 2023 · Officials estimated fewer than 104,000 fall-run Chinook are likely to return to the Klamath River, the second lowest estimate since 1997. Apr 13, 2023 · • Sport and commercial Chinook salmon fishing will be closed in California in 2023. Part of the CDFW Harvest Huddle Hour series. Mar 4, 2024 · On March 1, 2024, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) held its CDFW Annual Salmon Information Meeting via a webinar. latitude, San Mateo County to the U. 1-Sept. Regulations that have been modified by inseason action . Overall, many hatchery-produced salmon would simply go to waste and compete with wild salmon for precious spawning habitat. Jim Yarnall California Sport Fisheries Telephone: (707) 443-2496 jimyarnall@gmail. Mar 15, 2023 · In other words, salmon fishing season on California’s coast, which typically runs through as late as October in some parts of the state, is dead in the water for all of 2023. Officials in California have issued a ban on salmon fishing anywhere along the state's coast for the remainder of the season, as the state's Apr 10, 2024 · Commercial salmon fisher Matt Juanes prepares to set sail at Pier 47 in San Francisco on June 7, 2023. The only other time salmon fishing has been entirely shut . Apr 14, 2023 · Based on a unanimous vote of the federal Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), California’s commercial and recreational ocean salmon season faces a complete closure for the 2023 season. Apr 24, 2024 · According to the Golden State Salmon Association, California's salmon industry is valued at $1. ) is currently closed through at least May 15, 2025. Feb 15, 2023 · Demystifying the salmon season planning process. Few clients took him up on his offer to switch to halibut, striped bass or rockfish. Apr 2, 2023 · West Coast regulators announced that salmon fishing season will be shut down this year — only the second time salmon fishery has been canceled in California. Decisions regarding any recreational ocean salmon season dates from May 16 onward will be made at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting on April 15, 2025. , May 17, 2023. Contacts: Scott Artis, Golden State Salmon Association, 925-550-9208, scott@goldenstatesalmon. (Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters) Apr 23, 2024 · Earlier this year, the U. After reviewing the PFMC recommendation, it is expected that the National Marine Fisheries Service will take regulatory action to enact the closure, effective in mid-May. Mar 10, 2025 · Recent estimates from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife indicate approximately 166,000 Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon currently in the ocean, a decrease from the preseason estimate of 214,000 last year and comparable to the 2023 estimate of 169,000. May 24, 2024 · Artis said the latest closure follows the complete 2023 salmon fishing season shutdown that devastated the commercial and recreational salmon industry — and marks the fourth year in California Nov 29, 2024 · U. A wet year creates conditions that allow juvenile salmon to get washed onto floodplains and into estuaries, where they grow very fast, giving them a leg up before they California’s record king salmon, an 88-pound goliath, was caught in the Sacramento River in 1979. May 16, 2023 . Fish & Wildlife Service via Bay City News) Mar 2, 2023 · California's latest estimates for the fall run of Chinook salmon show a population decline. ca. For more information, see CDFW's Federal Fishery Disaster Information page , or email salmondisaster@wildlife. On April 6, 2023, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) acted unanimously to recommend a full closure of California’s 2023 commercial and recreational ocean salmon seasons due to extremely low population estimates for Sacramento and Klamath river fall Chinook salmon. Many fishermen and women support the closure — despite the impact on their own finances — because there are too few salmon left to catch. The commercial season will remain open in Fishing Zones 1, 2, and 3 (California/Oregon state line to Pigeon Point) under existing trap reductions. Salmon fishing Oct 30, 2024 · Overall, the unwelcome numbers, mirroring similar figures from last year, are alarming to people who fish, for they portend the possible continuation of the two-year-and-counting statewide ban on salmon fishing, imposed in 2023 following a weak spawning season. There are additional local, state and federal laws that may apply to fishing, hunting, and the use of firearms, including the California Penal Code and California Fish and Game Code (opens Apr 23, 2023 · On April 23, 2023, California acted the close its 2023 salmon season and requested a Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration in response. org for more info • Disaster Spend Plan, click here to download PDF file A relief call due to the 2023 closure of the salmon season A recent article was published on the Times Standard website regarding the closure of the salmon season. Aug 17, 2023 · In March 2023, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) acted unanimously to recommend a full closure of California’s commercial and recreational ocean salmon seasons (three to 200 nautical miles offshore). It’s a decline of nearly 40% from the previous year, and the lowest since 2009. Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local Mar 15, 2023 · The Council also proposed the closure of all California ocean commercial fisheries in all areas from the Oregon/California border to the U. 4 billion in economic activity and 23,000 jobs annually in a normal season. 206-526-6667 . For the ocean recreational salmon season within the California KMZ, which runs from the Oregon-California border to latitude 40°10’ N and includes Humboldt County, the three alternatives currently on the table are: Mar 1, 2022 · Ocean Salmon The 2023 recreational ocean salmon fishery is closed in all regions. Mar 9, 2023 · The Golden Gate Fisherman's Association called for the closure of the 2023 salmon fishing season -- while asking the state and federal governments to approve disaster assistance for commercial Feb 2, 2024 · The federal government announced Thursday that $20. The collapse of the 2023 and 2024 seasons threatens the survival of these fishermen. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters Mar 15, 2023 · In other words, salmon fishing season on California’s coast, which typically runs through as late as October in some parts of the state, is dead in the water for all of 2023. in Fishing Zones 4, 5, and 6 (from Pigeon Point, 37°11' N. This compares to 169,800 fish estimated in 2023 and 2025 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations Booklet Updated January 1, 2025 See our "what's new" page for updates for 2025. This makes these fisheries eligible for disaster assistance. John Atkinson California Charter Boat Golden Gate Fishermen’s Association Telephone: (415) 924-6851 newrayann@comcast. Gavin Newsom requested disaster relief for our communities from the U. A sport fishing license is required to take reptiles, except for rattlesnakes. The Secretary of Commerce has declared fishery disasters occurred for the 2023 and 2024 California Sacramento River Fall Chinook and Klamath River Fall Chinook fisheries. (Danielle Venton/KQED) May 17, 2023 · The California Fish and Game Commission acted unanimously to enact a full closure of California’s recreational salmon fishing season in the Klamath River Basin and Central Valley rivers through its annual process for adjusting seasons and bag limits on Tues. Apr 5, 2024 · On April 6, 2023, the Pacific Fishery Management Council acted unanimously to recommend a full closure of California’s 2023 commercial and recreational ocean salmon seasons due to extremely low population estimates for Sacramento and Klamath river fall Chinook salmon. 2 million) in financial relief to compensate for the closure of the Chinook salmon season in 2023. This follows the cancellation of last year’s salmon season across the state after abysmal reports of Chinook populations in the Sacramento and Klamath rivers. 4 billion industry. The sites are located throughout the 500 miles of CCC coho salmon spawning habitat on Mendocino Coast. State officials say the fishing season could be scaled back or shut down. Freshwater Regulations Map The final rules adopted by NOAA Fisheries and California Department of Fish and Wildlife this spring will be much different than last year’s rules. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says the drought from recent years limited salmon's ability to breed, and now there Mar 7, 2025 · While the buzz has been that a very limited season could be in the cards for the California coast, there’s also a sense that a third straight closure of ocean and inland waters would help the low counts that prompted the shutting down of fishing both in 2023 and 2024. Mar 26, 2025 · This progress has been completed over the past year through a partnership of California’s departments and boards, tribal partners, and non-governmental groups committed to supporting healthy salmon populations. Apr 7, 2023 · California officials say they want federal disaster relief for the state’s salmon fishing industry after the 2023 fishing season for fall-run chinook or king salmon was closed for much of the West Coast. The Pacific Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. Jan 15, 2025 · A third season of salmon closure could prove to the final nail in the coffins of California’s commercial salmon fishermen who are still awaiting the release of the allocated $20. Feb 5, 2024 · California’s 2023 commercial and recreational Chinook salmon fisheries were closed so the fish population could recover after low stock abundance forecasts. Secretary of Commerce. Ocean conditions in 2023 and 2024 were relatively good. Mar 14, 2023 · The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced on Monday that salmon fishing in California would be banned for the 2023 season due to a dwindling population. On the commercial side, Gov. The persistent low abundance Mar 31, 2025 · The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and the California Fish and Game Commission have cancelled the state’s salmon seasons for the past two years, and recent data shows that the 2024 fall Chinook salmon runs in the Sacramento River and Klamath River watersheds were far lower than forecasts had anticipated. 6 million (EUR 19. 6 million 2023 Salmon Disaster Relief funds, not to mention 2024’s. org Fall Chinook Salmon Returns to Sacramento River Slip Projections by 31,000 Fish in 2023: California Water Policies Continue to Harm Salmon Families Mar 3, 2023 · "In response, federal and state agencies are expected to take a conservative approach when approving 2023 salmon seasons to provide additional protective measures to these stocks, and very limited Mar 19, 2024 · When the salmon season closed last year, an estimated 85 percent of his business dried up. Apr 8, 2024 · On April 6, 2023, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) acted unanimously to recommend a full closure of California’s 2023 commercial and recreational ocean salmon seasons due to extremely low population estimates for Sacramento and Klamath river fall Chinook salmon. com; Mr. With California’s salmon season shut down this year, Juanes is pivoting to fish for crab and using his boat to charter tourists. Any-one 16 years or older fishing anywhere in Lake Tahoe or Topaz Lake must possess either a California sport fishing license or Mar 27, 2025 · Ocean Salmon. May 19, 2023 · The California Fish and Game Commission acted unanimously to enact a full closure of California’s recreational salmon fishing season in the Klamath River Basin and Central Valley rivers through its annual process for adjusting seasons and bag limits on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Mar 18, 2025 · or contact the CA King Salmon Council CEO David Goldenberg <golden59@pacbell. The efforts announced Friday come a day after the Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously approved the closure of the 2023 season for all commercial and most recreational fishing of Feb 27, 2025 · On Wednesday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) hosted its annual 2025 Salmon Information Meeting where fishery agencies provided ocean salmon abundance forecast information to the public. This basic information applies to pier fishing at other locations in California, as well. Water year 2025 is shaping up to be a relatively wet year providing good conditions for returning adult salmon. These include ocean waters off Oregon. Currently, California’s salmon industry is valued at $1. Jan 31, 2024 · Fewer than 80,000 Central Valley fall-run chinook salmon — a mainstay of the state’s salmon fishery — returned to spawn in 2022, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. us ; Mr. The recreational fishery for ocean salmon (opens in new tab) (Onchorynchus spp. Monitoring numbers are based on spawning surveys, which count the number of salmon nests in random, spatially-balanced sample sites. 4 billion in economic activity annually in a regular season and about half that much in economic activity and jobs again in Oregon. Mar 11, 2025 · Low Salmon Counts Could Lead to Another Canceled Fishing Season in California Salmon fishing was banned in California in 2023 and 2024 By Sage Marshall Mar 11, 2025 Apr 9, 2023 · Both the commercial and recreational salmon fleets in California will likely remain stuck in port this year following the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s decision Thursday to cancel the 2023 fishing season. Apr 12, 2024 · Over the past decade, the commercial salmon fleet has shrunk by almost 25%. Freshwater Regulations Map Mar 4, 2023 · “The harvest models, escapement goals and model inaccuracies show there is no warranted opportunity to harvest chinook salmon in the state of California in 2023. The season closure of Apr 7, 2023 · PREVIOUSLY: Feds close Chinook salmon season in California due to drought effects On Thursday, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the semi-federal body that oversees West Coast fisheries Plummeting salmon population could trigger closure of fishing season in California waters March 3 2023, by Ian James Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Feb 5, 2024 · The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s annual pre-season salmon briefing in March 2023 forecast “some of the worst fisheries numbers in the history of the state. Feb 20, 2024 · FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2024. In 2022, only 463 commercial boats fished during the open salmon season. Representative Jared Huffman (D-California) said that NOAA Fisheries will finally release financial relief for the 2023 closure of the California’s salmon fishery, but it could still be a while before fishers receive that relief. Once tremendously abundant, California wild salmon are now on the brink of extinction. net; Mr. the ocean right now to comfortably get a return of adult salmon to reproduce for 2023," McManus said. Jan 22, 2025 · Most California fishing and hunting regulations are contained in the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14 (Natural Resources) (opens in new tab). Professional fishermen are concerned this agency order will be the end for many of their businesses. Representative Jared Huffman (D-California), criticized the size of the aid package, claiming that it does not match the Feb 28, 2023 · GGSA’s mission is to restore California salmon for their economic, recreational, commercial, environmental, cultural and health values. Kevin Godes California Feb 26, 2025 · Final season recommendations will be adopted at the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s April 9-15, meeting in San Jose, California. Following its March meeting May 11, 2022 · and requires a California fishing license for anglers 16 years old and older. “California’s progress on these key action items shows the state is taking salmon extraordinarily seriously, and that we will use Mar 12, 2024 · Chinook Salmon swimming along the Scott River on Oct. Many recreational and commercial salmon fishing ventures have shut down. Salmon Fisheries Disaster Declaration SBA is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the California Salmon Fishery Closure 2023 that occurred Mar 4, 2025 · Monitoring for salmon nests. The 2023 salmon disaster application administered by PSMFC opened up on March 3 and will close on June 1. 4 days ago · The commercial Dungeness crab season will close on April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p. Juliana Kim The last time that the region shut down its salmon fishing season to help the Apr 7, 2023 · Without our commercial and recreational salmon seasons, every fishing business in California will struggle to support our families this year – every captain, deckhand, fuel dock, buyer, processor, gear store, charter operation and marina involved in this $1. (Kori Suzuki/KQED) He’s fished salmon for six years, and the numbers seem to dwindle each season, he said. Mar 9, 2025 · Most salmon in California have a three-year life cycle: they hatch, migrate to the ocean, spend two years there, and then return and reproduce in the river where they were born. April 5, 2024. The range of inland salmon fishing regulation options will Mar 6, 2025 · The salmon fishing season has been canceled in 2023 and 2024 because the fish have suffered a decline in numbers. CNN values your feedback 1. Spring Chinook Salmon in an undated photo. latitude (near Cape Mendocino), the season will be open May 1-31 and Aug. How to Fish from a Pier (Video) How to organize gear and fish from a Southern California pier. Jul 11, 2023 · Morning Star Gali, vice-chairperson of the Pit River Tribe, told the assembled crowd that ‘we cannot have truth and healing for California tribes and drive salmon into extinction,’ at the Day of Action for California Water Justice and Salmon rally on July 5, 2023, at the state Capitol. Below are some details pulled from that article as well as the video of North Coast U. 30, 2023. Mar 13, 2023 · California cancels salmon fishing season 03:35. Mar 11, 2024 · Jared Davis stands aboard his charter fishing boat, the Salty Lady, in Richmond on March 8, 2023. Department of Commerce announced USD 20. The Pacific Fishery Management Council approved the closure of the 2023 season for all commercial and most recreational chinook fishing along California Tribal Representative Yurok Tribe Telephone: (707) 954-4357 KParker@yuroktribe. Jan 1, 2023 · amphibian or crustacean in California, except for persons an-gling from a public pier in ocean or bay waters. 800-662-9825 . The prognosis for a 2024 salmon season does not look good. aotvh coeh qbb kinvp fsbibdo aihee bvfail fhus osir mrcb ahjq jvngk etye nizgsmf secwpvy