Trending Now - California Resumes Commercial Salmon Fishing After Population Recovery

WHO:

ABC News - California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot stated, “It is great news for everyone — for the fishermen, for seafood lovers and the environment because it means that salmon populations are back to a much healthier state.”

ABC News - Vance Staplin is the executive director of the Golden State Salmon Association.

WHAT:

ABC News - The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to open waters off the coast of California to commercial salmon fishing for the first time since 2022.

ABC News - The council barred commercial salmon fishing off California for the past three years.

ABC News - The commercial fishing season will begin in May 2026, with restrictions including limited days and quotas on the number of salmon that can be caught.

ABC News - Recreational fishing began in April 2026 along a stretch of the coast spanning about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of San Francisco to the Mexican border.

WHERE:

ABC News - The waters off the coast of California are the location for the commercial salmon fishing.

ABC News - The recreational fishing area spans about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of San Francisco to the Mexican border.

WHEN:

ABC News - The decision to open commercial salmon fishing was made on Sunday, April 10th, 2026.

ABC News - Recreational fishing began in April 2026, and sportfishing in waters off San Francisco will begin in June 2026.

WHY:

ABC News - The decision to open commercial salmon fishing is due to the population rebounding after wet winters ended a long drought.

ABC News - Biologists noted that the Chinook salmon population declined dramatically due to years of drought, which disrupted their migration upstream to lay eggs.

HOW:

ABC News - The Pacific Fishery Management Council is an advisory group to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, which makes the final decision on fishing regulations.

ABC News - Recent wet winters have brought in more cold water, which is necessary for salmon spawning.

(UPDATED April 13, 2026 07:32 UTC)

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has voted to open waters off the coast of California to commercial salmon fishing for the first time since 2022, a decision made on Friday, due to a rebound in salmon populations following wet winters that ended a long drought. California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot expressed that this is great news for fishermen, seafood lovers, and the environment, while the commercial fishing season is set to begin in May 20th26 with specific restrictions. Recreational fishing has already started in April 20th26 along a 50-mile stretch of coast from San Francisco to the Mexican border, with sportfishing in San Francisco waters scheduled to kick off in June 20th26.