California Allows Limited Salmon Fishing Again After Years of Decline

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:08:00 +0200

After three years of strict prohibition due to dangerously low Chinook salmon numbers, California’s commercial salmon fishing industry is finally seeing a partial revival. Regulators from the Pacific Fishery Management Council plan to reopen the season this spring under tight restrictions, allowing small catches of fall-run Chinook along the state’s coastline. The previous ban, lasting from 2023 through 2025, was the longest in California’s history and devastated fishing communities. Many fishermen were forced to abandon their boats, change professions, or relocate to other states like Oregon and Arizona. While the federal government provided over $20 million in disaster relief, many affected workers found the assistance insufficient. The limited 2026 season will permit a maximum of 160 salmon per vessel in certain regions like San Francisco during select periods in May and August, with further restrictions in September and elsewhere along the coast. The decision follows signs of recov