On Friday, May 16, 2025, the National Marine Fisheries Service published the annual West Coast salmon fishing regulations for federal waters, including those for California’s limited ocean recreational salmon season. State ocean salmon sport fishing regulations automatically conform to federal regulations pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1.95. The federal regulations for ocean salmon fisheries were published in the Federal Register – see 90 FR 20810 – and took effect on May 16, 2025.
For ocean waters between the California/Oregon state line and the US/Mexico border, the ocean salmon season will be open for two days on June 7-8, 2025, with a 7,000 Chinook salmon summer harvest guideline. If the harvest guideline is not met in the first opener, the season will reopen for additional days in July and August until the summer harvest guideline is met. The fishery will then open for four days on September 4-7, 2025 between Point Reyes and Point Sur under a fall harvest guideline of 7,500 Chinook salmon. Retention of coho salmon (also known as silver salmon) is prohibited in all California ocean salmon fisheries. All salmon must be brought ashore prior to the end of any open season.
Anglers are advised to check for updated information regarding season dates and harvest guidelines on CDFW’s Ocean Salmon Fishery Information web page or by calling the CDFW Ocean Salmon Hotline at (707) 576-3429.
Statewide, the daily bag limit will be two Chinook salmon per day, with a minimum size limit of 20 inches total length. No more than two daily bag limits may be possessed when on land. On a vessel in ocean waters, no person may possess or bring ashore more than one daily bag limit. Once brought ashore, no person may possess more than two daily bag limits. Bag and possession limit information and gear restrictions may be found on the Ocean Salmon Fishery Information web page and in ocean sport fishing regulations.
Inland salmon regulations for the Central Valley and Klamath Basin were voted at the May Fish and Game Commission meeting.
The final inland regulations are pending review by the Office of Administrative Law and will be posted in CDFW’s Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet once finalized.
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Media Contacts:
John Ugoretz, CDFW Marine Region, (562) 338-3068
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714