Limited 2025 Salmon Season Announced for California Coast

The 2025 ocean salmon fishing regulations have officially taken effect in California, aligning the state’s sport fishing rules with newly published federal guidelines. Following the May 16 announcement by the National Marine Fisheries Service, California anglers will have only a few select days to legally fish for Chinook salmon in ocean waters this season. In accordance with federal regulations published in the Federal Register (90 FR 20810), and under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1.95, the state has adopted these rules automatically. The limited recreational season marks a tightly managed opportunity for anglers to participate in one of the West Coast’s most iconic fisheries while balancing conservation goals. From the California-Oregon border to the U.S.-Mexico boundary, the ocean salmon season will open for just two days — June 7 and 8 — with a summer harvest cap of 7,000 Chinook salmon. If that quota is not reached, the fishery may reopen on additional dates in July and August until the harvest limit is met. A second, four-day fall opener has been approved for September 4 through 7, between Point Reyes and Point Sur. This portion of the season carries a separate fall harvest target of 7,500 Chinook salmon. Retention of coho salmon,...