Summary of 2009 California Ocean Salmon Seasons

Fishing Hours in the Pacific Ocean

Section 27.56. Take General.

Except as otherwise provided, there are no closed seasons, closed hours or minimum size limits on fin fish in the Pacific Ocean including all saltwater bays except that in San Francisco Bay between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Carquinez Bridge and in saltwater tributaries to the bay within the area bounded by Interstate 80 and Highways 17, 101 and 37 where fin fish may not be taken between one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise except from shore or piers.

Commercial Salmon Regulations

In April 2008, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the California Fish and Game Commission adopted a complete closure of the ocean salmon commercial fishery in California during 2008 (through April 30, 2009). Ocean salmon regulations effective May 1, 2009 will be determined at the April 4-9, 2009 PFMC public meeting in Millbrae, CA. For 2009 salmon management information, please visit the PFMC website at www.pcouncil.org.

For a comprehensive news and FAQ page describing salmon fishery changes, click here.

For more information, visit the PFMC Web site at www.pcouncil.org/whatsnew.html.

Recreational Salmon Regulations

In April 2008, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the California Fish and Game Commission adopted a complete closure of the ocean salmon sport fishery in California during 2008 (through April 30, 2009). Ocean salmon regulations effective May 1, 2009 will be determined at the April 4-9, 2009 PFMC public meeting in Millbrae, CA. For 2009 salmon management information, please visit the PFMC website at www.pcouncil.org.

For a comprehensive news and FAQ page describing salmon fishery changes, click here.

For more information, visit the PFMC Web site at www.pcouncil.org/whatsnew.html.

General Sport Regulations

NO RETENTION OF COHO SALMON OR STEELHEAD TROUT IN ANY OCEAN RECREATIONAL FISHERY

Coho Salmon Identification Flyer

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Salmon may only be taken by angling as defined in Section 1.05. No sinkers or weights exceeding 4 lbs may be used, except that a fishing line may be attached to a sinker or weight of any size if such sinker or weight is suspended by a separate line & the fishing line is released automatically by a mechanical device from the sinker or weight when any fish is hooked.
Ocean Boat Limits: Each angler aboard a vessel may continue to fish until the boat limit (combined daily bag limits of all anglers) has been attained. Once the vessel reaches shore, individual daily bag limits will apply. Charter boat operator(s) and crew members may not take fish that apply towards the boat limit of their passengers, but they may take fish for their individual bag limits provided their fish are kept separate from the passenger's fish.
North of Pt. Conception: No more than 2 single-point, single-shank barbless hooks shall be used & no more than 1 rod/angler when fishing for salmon or fishing from a boat with salmon on board.
Horse Mt. to Pt. Conception: If fishing with bait and angling by any other means than TROLLING¹, no more than two (2) single-point, single-shank barbless CIRCLE HOOKS ² shall be used. The distance between the two hooks must not exceed five (5) inches when measured from the top of the eye of the top hook to the inner base of the curve of the lower hook and both hooks must be permanently tied in place (hard tied).
NOTE: These special gear restrictions apply to each angler fishing for salmon or fishing from any boat or floating device with salmon on board.
1. TROLLING is defined as angling from a boat or floating device that is making way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means of the prevailing water current or weather conditions.
2. A CIRCLE HOOK is defined as a hook with a generally circular shape and a point which turns inwards, pointing directly to the shank at a 90-degree angle.