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California's Salmon Season Is Running Out the Clock
The first full season since 2022 closes September 30 in most zones, with a 20,000-Chinook guideline riding over the fall openings.
California's recreational ocean salmon season, the first complete one the state has had since 2022, opened April 11 and closes September 30 in most zones, with a handful running through October 15. A second run of fall openings began this month under a harvest guideline of 20,000 Chinook covering all open areas.
That guideline is the number to watch rather than the calendar. Managers can take in-season action to close days or areas once harvest approaches the limit, so a posted date is a ceiling and not a promise. The state keeps updates on its ocean salmon page and runs a regulations hotline for anyone planning a trip.
The reopening followed three straight closed years, intended to let more fish reach the spawning gravel. Improved forecasts for Sacramento and Klamath River fall Chinook made the wider season possible, including the first commercial troll openings off the California coast since 2022.
North of Cape Falcon the sport fishery has been running since mid-June on quotas of 54,000 Chinook and 102,900 marked coho, both marginally above last year's. Coho forecasts coastwide are flat to somewhat lower than 2025, with Oregon hatchery stocks up and lower Columbia natural stocks down.
Confirm the zone before you launch. Ocean, bay and delta, and river rules differ, and more than one of them has moved this year.
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