Salmon Preseason Process: Calendar of Events and Contact Information

Calendar of Events 

• January 20-23, 2026
  PFMC Salmon Technical Team Work Session
  Portland, OR
  The Salmon Technical Team (STT) meets to draft the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) document, Review of 2025 Ocean Salmon Fisheries. This report summarizes seasons, quotas, harvest, escapement, socio-economic statistics, achievement of management goals, and impacts on species listed under the Endangered Species Act. This report will be available online in mid-February at www.pcouncil.org(opens in new tab).
• February 11-12, 2026
  California Fish and Game Commission Meeting
  Sacramento, CA
  The Commission will receive an update on and discuss the PFMC process and timeline for developing ocean salmon seasons, and automatic conformance of state regulations to federal regulations. The public may address and/or ask questions of the Commission relating to the implementation of its policies or any other matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Agenda and live audio or video streaming available online at fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab). 
• February 17-20, 2026
  PFMC Salmon Technical Team Work Session
  The STT meets to complete Preseason Report I: Stock Abundance Analysis and Environmental Assessment Part 1 for 2026 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations. This report provides abundance forecast estimates for key salmon stocks, and other information pertinent to the development of management options. This report will be available online in early March at www.pcouncil.org(opens in new tab)
• February TBD, 2026 (10:00am)
  CDFW Annual Salmon Information Meeting
  This annual information meeting covers 2025 spawner abundances returning to the Central Valley and Klamath Basins, 2026 abundance forecasts, and management context guiding the development and implementation of 2026 ocean salmon fisheries. The public are invited to learn about pertinent data and management context shaping the upcoming ocean salmon season. The meeting will be hosted in person and as a webinar. The meeting link, agenda and other materials will be posted here as they become available.        
• March 4-9, 2026
  PFMC March Meeting
  Sacramento, CA
  The Council will determine whether any in-season actions are required for fisheries scheduled to open prior to May 16. They will also craft three regulatory alternatives for ocean salmon fisheries in effect on or after May 16. Final adoption of alternatives for public review is tentatively scheduled for March 9.
  Preseason Report II: Proposed Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2026 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations will be available online in late March at www.pcouncil.org(opens in new tab).
• March 23, 2026 (7:00pm)
  PFMC Public Hearing 
  Santa Rosa, CA
  The Council will receive comments from the public on the three California ocean salmon fishery regulatory alternatives adopted by the Council in March. More information is available at www.pcouncil.org(opens in new tab).
• April 7-12, 2026
  PFMC April Meeting
  Portland, OR
  The Council will adopt final regulatory measures for analysis by the STT. Final adoption of recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service will also occur and is tentatively scheduled for April 12.
  Preseason Report III: Council-Adopted Management Measures and Environmental Assessment Part 3 for 2026 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations will be available online in late April at www.pcouncil.org(opens in new tab).
• April 15-16, 2026
  California Fish and Game Commission Meeting
  Sacramento, CA
  The Commission will receive an update on ocean salmon sport fishery regulations in effect in 2026. The public may address and/or ask questions of the Commission relating to the implementation of its policies or any other matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Agenda and audio available online at fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab).

To make comments directly to the Pacific Fishery Management Council regarding the upcoming salmon season, visit the Council's website at www.pcouncil.org/contact(opens in new tab), or contact the PFMC staff officer for salmon, Angela Forristall, angela.forristall@noaa.gov.

To make comments directly to the Fish and Game Commission, visit the Commission's website at fgc.ca.gov/Contact(opens in new tab).