This September marks the first time in two years that there will be a fall ocean salmon recreational fishery. The fall ocean salmon fishery will take place from September 4 through September 7 in waters between Point Reyes and Point Sur, with a total harvest guideline of 7,500 Chinook salmon. Each angler can take a daily bag limit of two species of any salmon except coho, with a minimum size limit of 20 inches total length.
If the 7,500 guideline is not reached, the season will continue on September 29-30 for both the Monterey and San Francisco subareas. If the guideline still is not attained, the fishery will continue in waters between Pt. Reyes to Pigeon Point from October 1-5 and then again from October 27-31. The commercial ocean salmon fishery is closed for all of 2025.
For inland salmon fisheries, this year’s adjustment for limited take in the Central Valley Chinook salmon fishery means anglers can take a daily bag limit of one Chinook salmon per person, with a possession limit of one Chinook salmon and no size restrictions. Anglers can fish for salmon only on specific sections of the American River, the Feather River, and the Mokelumne River. This year, all sections of the Sacramento River and Delta are closed for Chinook salmon. The season began July 16, with different end dates for each location.
In the Feather River:
- The upper section spans from the unimproved boat ramp above the Thermalito Afterbay Outfall to 200 yards above the Live Oak boat ramp. Here the season is open through September 15.
- The lower section spans from 200 yards above the Live Oak boat ramp to the Highway 99 bridge. Here the season is open through October 31.
In the American River:
- The upper section spans from the U.S. Geological Survey gauging station cable crossing about 300 yards downstream of the Nimbus Hatchery fish rack site to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) power line crossing. Here the season is open through October 15.
- The lower section extends from the SMUD power line crossing to the Jibboom Street Bridge. Here the season is open through October 31.
In the Mokelumne River:
- The upper section runs from Camanche Dam to Elliot Road. Here the season is open through September 15.
- The middle section spans from Elliot Road to the Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam, including Lodi Lake. Here the season is open through October 15.
- The lower section spans from the Lower Sacramento Road Bridge to the mouth of the Mokelumne River. Here the season is open through October 31.
Survey questions and suggestions for the fall ocean salmon fishery
California Fish and Wildlife Department (CDFW) samplers will be stationed at all the major ports between Point Reyes and Point Sur. They will engage anglers on private boats and charter fishing boats to interview them about their fishing trips and collect salmon heads.
Anglers on the water in California’s summer 2025 recreational ocean salmon fishery. Image: CDFW
Samplers may ask anglers the following questions, which can be found in the California Recreational Fisheries Survey:
- How many salmon did you catch?
- How many did you release?
- Did you release any coho salmon?
- Did any sea lions take any of the salmon you were trying to catch?
- How long were you on the water?
- Where did you fish?
- Did you fish using the mooching method (gently raising and lowering the tip of the rod to mimic a swimming prey fish with bait) or the trolling method (dragging a weighted hooked line in the water from a moving boat with bait or a lure)?
The trolling method is associated with a lower mortality rate for Chinook salmon. When salmon are hooked from a moving boat, they are less likely to fully swallow the bait/lure. In contrast, when mooching from a more stationary position, salmon are more likely to fully swallow the hook.
Anglers are required to remove heads from caught salmon with a clipped or missing adipose fin. They must provide them to CDFW representatives, as cited in the California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1.73. The missing fin indicates the fish originated from a hatchery.
Chinook salmon heads, collected by CDFW during the summer 2025 recreational ocean salmon fishery. Image: CDFW
Fish with a clipped adipose fin will contain a coded wire tag (CWT). A CWT is a metal tag that is implanted in a juvenile salmon’s snout at the hatchery before it is released. The CWT holds critical information such as hatchery of origin, release strategy, and brood year. CDFW recovers, stores, and analyzes the information on the CWTs that is essential to fisheries management processes. Such work involves determining the fishing season dates, size restrictions, and bag limits for ocean salmon, as well as stock-specific information and recovery rates.
Upon request, CDFW will provide anglers who turn over heads an orange informational card. This gives them the opportunity to request information about the fish they caught. An angler should email OSP@wildlife.ca.gov with the subject line: “OSP headtag #” to learn about the origin of their fish. The angler should provide the name, date, and port where the fish was sampled. CDFW will take requests through December 31. Anglers can receive responses about their fish within six months to a year after submitting their fish heads.
CDFW orange informational card for salmon heads. Image: CDFW
Anglers should understand how to properly identify a Chinook versus a coho salmon and know that taking coho salmon is prohibited. The most easily identifiable feature between Chinook and coho salmon is that Chinook salmon have a black interior jaw and coho salmon have a silver interior jaw. The correct jaw for identification is the gum line on the lower jaw.
CDFW graphic illustrating key differences between Chinook and coho salmon. Image: CDFW
CDFW advises anglers to be careful in packed waters. They should also be prepared for rough conditions. However, the weather is usually sunny and warm in September.
“Many people go out really early, like 4 or 5 a.m., when it might be dark. Based on what we saw in June for the summer opener, there will be a lot of people out on the water,” said Emma Keller, Environmental Scientist for the Ocean Salmon Project – Marine Region of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The role of the Pacific Fishery Management Council
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) is one of eight regional fishery management councils in the U.S. This body makes final recommendations for fishery management measures in federal waters off Washington, Oregon, and California. These measures are implemented into law by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
The PFMC has jurisdiction over the span of the West Coast that is between 3 to 200 miles offshore, which is called the U.S. West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone. The PFMC manages the fisheries, or fishing seasons, for 119 species of salmon, groundfish, coastal pelagic species (sardines, anchovies, and mackerel), and highly migratory species (tunas, sharks, and swordfish) on the West Coast of the United States. There are numerous stocks of Chinook salmon within the 119 species.
Within the PFMC processes, the public can speak during public comment periods. They can also voice opinions and concerns regarding California salmon fisheries and environmental conditions impacting salmon populations.
This past March, the PFMC recommended that there be a 2025 recreational summer ocean salmon fishery and a 2025 recreational fall ocean salmon fishery for California. It also set dates for these fisheries. The PFMC took such action after hearing analyses about salmon populations from member states and stakeholders.
“The Council heard testimony that made them aware that salmon stock in the Klamath and Sacramento rivers remains low. That is why the commercial salmon fishing season remains closed again this year,” said Angela Forristall, Staff Officer for Salmon and Pacific Halibut of the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
The PFMC makes its recommendations for state salmon fisheries on an annual cycle. In developing these recommendations, PFMC reviews information about past ocean and river harvests, as well as spawning escapement to natural areas and hatcheries.
Since most Chinook salmon spawn in the fall, the PFMC takes states’ data about this event after it occurs. The PFMC compiles the data and inputs it into models. The models provide an index of total abundance for that year. They also provide a forecast of ocean abundance in the absence of fishing for the following year.
Between March and April, the PFMC collaborates with state and federal agencies, Tribes, and stakeholder groups to propose a set of fishery management measures for the upcoming year. Council members recommended the two recreational ocean salmon fisheries in 2025 because evidence suggested that California’s salmon populations are rebounding somewhat from low populations in 2023 and 2024. The PFMC also considers issues regarding equity and access. Specifically, Oregon allowed recreational salmon fishing in 2023 and 2024. During that period, California ocean fisheries were fully closed. In this situation, the PFMC had to think carefully about how ocean salmon fishing by Oregon-based boats could affect fish populations. Salmon in the ocean come from many different river systems. Fishing often involves mixed stocks (groups of fish that will return to rivers in different states). Due to this issue, the Council took time to study the possible impacts and weigh the tradeoffs. The goals were to make sure Oregon had fair chances to fish without being overly limited. The PFMC also wanted to protect salmon that would return to California rivers in the future.
“In the past two years, California’s closures of recreational ocean salmon fisheries did not seriously impact Oregon’s recreational ocean salmon fisheries. The fishing was pretty consistent in Oregon within their limits. We (the PFMC, states, NMFS, and advisors) have in-season management calls almost weekly to make adjustments. They’ve been managing very conservatively in southern Oregon because they set very low limits,” said Forristall.
Crafting the measures for California took time. The PFMC developed guidelines that ensure there will not be severe impacts on Central Valley Spring and Sacramento River Winter Chinook.
“PFMC has a Salmon Advisory Subpanel that is supported by the Salmon Technical Team. It drafts and analyzes fishing scenarios for ocean salmon fisheries,” said Forristall.
The Salmon Advisory Subpanel is made up of commercial, recreational, and Tribal fishermen who provide feedback about what days would be ideal to be on the water. The Salmon Technical Team runs the numbers to determine those days would meet goals for the salmon stocks.
“This year, PFMC crafted the fall California recreational ocean salmon fishery in a way that’s never been done before, with geographically narrow, short openers in September and October. The PFMC had a lot of discussion about what is anticipated and the anticipation of a larger than normal run of Mokelumne River fish,” said Forristall.
The PFMC said it, NMFS, and the states have to inform individuals about annual rules and regulations to ensure compliance. In summer 2025, monitoring went off well.
“We’re anticipating to hear from California about how it goes for the fall fishery. We also want to learn what other fish people caught during this fishery,” said Forristall.
Understanding how inland recreational fishing fits in
Ocean harvest regulations influence inland recreational fishery planning. The ocean fisheries impact the number of fall-run Chinook salmon returning to Central Valley rivers. CDFW considers these impacts when crafting inland fisheries. CDFW then recommends inland fishing regulations to the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC), the governing body that determines the regulations that are adopted into the California Code of Regulations (CCR). Just as with the PFMC processes, the public can speak to share opinions and concerns during public comment periods for the FGC processes.
There are many factors that CDFW takes into consideration when recommending inland fishery recommendations to the FGC. These include river conditions, ocean fishery management measures recommended by PFMC, recent spawner escapement and pre-fishery abundance forecasts, and the overall status of Central Valley salmon stocks. CDFW shares this information with the Commission. It can recommend closures or limitations to the inland salmon fishery in years when there is concern about the population.
In April 2025, CDFW explained to the Commission that salmon returns, particularly to the upper Sacramento River basin, have been low in recent years. CDFW also stated the 2025 abundance forecast leaves only a small surplus for inland harvest after considering ocean harvest and spawner escapement targets.
This set of circumstances explains why the Sacramento River is closed to salmon fishing and there are restrictions on take in the American, Feather, and Mokelumne Rivers for fall in-river fishing this year. It also explains why there is a shortened season for in-river fishing. The other factor in the equation is that recently, California has experienced consistent years of drought. This has negatively affected inland rivers.
“That is part of why the ocean abundance forecast is still below where we want it to be. We want those stocks to rebound,” said Forristall.
She said the population of full-grown adult salmon is always linked to what ocean and inland conditions were like three to four years ago.
“What you want to review is the age at which the salmon migrate. Was there a drought or wildfire then? You want to look at the escapement numbers and jack numbers,” said Forristall.
Here the term “jack” means a male that returns to spawn one year younger than other adult salmon.
Colby Hause, Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) for CDFW, shared more details about this issue. She said that in general, salmon require adequate freshwater flows and cool temperatures for successful reproduction and juvenile survival.
“California is characterized by a highly variable climate, cycling between periods of dry and wet conditions. However, climate change has increased the frequency and severity of drought conditions. This can reduce river flows and increase water temperatures during important periods of the year for salmon, such as spawning, juvenile rearing and outmigration,” said Hause.
Infrastructure, including dams, diversions, and river channelization, provide mechanisms for managing river flows. Then water can be dispersed from Central Valley rivers to many different user groups across the state and any time of the year.
“Even in wet years, river conditions may still not be suitable if adequate water is not available during critical life stages for salmon. These factors can impact salmon populations by influencing adult migrating timing, movement, and pre- spawn survival, as well as juvenile rearing and outmigration survival,” said Hause.
In 2024, CDFW established a new objective, in-season management. It outlines this goal in the online document California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future.
For inland fisheries, CDFW will survey anglers at launch ramps and along the river during the salmon season to estimate catch and harvest. Right now that is only for post-season estimates and not real-time decision making. Anglers can review fishing information from fellow anglers at the California Inland Recreational Angler Survey (CIRAS), a web-based platform containing data about in-river fishing.
Perspective from a charter fishing boat captain
Charter fishing boat businesses saw an enormous spike in calls when the days for the fall 2025 ocean salmon fishery were announced.
Captain Jared Davis steers the Salty Lady, a charter fishing boat operation based in Sausalito. He is the Treasurer of the Golden Gate Fishermen’s Association, which is affiliated with Sportfishing Association of California, and a member of its Board. He is also a member of the Golden State Salmon Association.
“When they announced there was going to be this fall season, my phone rang more in one day than it had in the past two years. I got over 100 emails,” said Davis.
Since he could not take out all of the customers who wanted to go, he reserved spots for his long-time regular customers first. These include individuals and groups from the North Bay and San Francisco, as well as people driving in from Sacramento and Reno. It also included people flying in from southern California or out of the country.
“We usually fish around Muir Beach, Duxberry Reef, or Stinson Beach. The fish come in waves. They stage just outside of the Golden Gate on the Marin Coast. When they’re ready, they swim through San Francisco Bay and up the Sacramento River system to spawn together,” said Davis.
He said every day can be different.
“At the right moment, the fish can be so thick it’s kind of ridiculous. Other days you’re trying to scratch out a few fish. The weather and sea conditions in September are usually not a problem. In October, it gets more dicey,” said Davis.
Most of the fish that he and his customers catch are in the 15 to 30 lb. range, generally full grown adults.
Davis said nothing compares to salmon, in terms of table fare or putting anglers on the boat.
“Salmon is king. When there is no salmon or there is no recreational salmon fishery, although it is not nearly as popular, people might reserve spots for halibut, striped bass, or rock cod. There are already charter boats that specialize in these fish. That’s an issue, because then we’re all competing for customers for the same fish,” said Davis.
During the past two years that the recreational ocean salmon fishery was closed, he has taken groups out on ecotourism and sight-seeing tours.
“A lot of other charter fishing boats didn’t have an option to get that business. The federal disaster relief funding took two years. In the meantime, many other charter boat owners had to sell out and move on,” said Davis.
Davis said there needs to be a significantly higher flow of water in California rivers to support the natural area Chinook Salmon population. He added that hatchery production numbers had been significantly reduced by Hatchery Scientific Review Group in recent years.
He is hopeful for a return to historic levels of production, updates to aging hatcheries, and construction of new hatcheries. He is also excited about innovative techniques like trucking baby salmon downstream past lethal low flows and high temperatures in the rivers, net pen projects, and rice field rearing projects, amongst others.
“If we’re going to keep this iconic salmon population around and the people and fisheries that it supports, we really need to stop repeating the same behaviors and expecting different results. Just as we mitigated for habitat loss when the dams were built, we now need to mitigate for the ever increasing and inevitable water diversions of today,” said Davis.
A review of the summer 2025 ocean salmon fishery
The June 7-8 summer ocean fishery was the first time the recreational ocean salmon fishery was open in two years. This season was open in ocean waters between the California/Oregon state line and the U.S./Mexico border. The harvest guideline was 7,000 Chinook salmon. The season was extremely active. Anglers took fish from the coast off Crescent City in Del Norte County south to the coast off Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County.
CDFW estimated 9,165 Chinook salmon were taken statewide by 10,505 anglers. The harvest guideline was exceeded so the season did not reopen for additional days in July and August. Most of the catch and the majority of the anglers originated from ports between the greater San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay areas.
Over 100 CDFW samplers asked anglers and charter boat captains questions at major boat launches and sport fishing centers. The event generated a great deal of excitement. It was an economic boost for charter fishing companies, sport fishing shops, and tourism-oriented businesses for a long stretch of coastline.
Additional information
When it comes to enforcement, CDFW’s wildlife officers will be enforcing regulations shoreside and on the water, for the recreational ocean salmon fishery and the recreational in-land fishery.
“Wildlife officers use their inspection authority to verify anglers are properly licensed, using methods of take authorized through regulations, and making sure only authorized species are taken and sized limits are adhered to. said Keller.
CDFW has diverted wildlife officers from other positions to cover the increased participation at boat ramps and vessels offshore. Typically, wildlife officers perform a thorough job of enforcing the regulations. In some areas, it is more challenging to enforce regulations in places where there is low participation. This issue is due to geographic limitations. Anglers can review CDFW’s regulations on the agency’s website, in its press releases, and in digital regulation booklets available on CDFW’s website.
Resources for Anglers
- CDFW: Ocean Salmon Fishery
2. CDFW’s Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline: (707) 576-3429.
3. CDFW: Inland Sport Fishing
4. CDFW: California Inland Recreational Angler Survey