April 14, 2026 — California’s salmon fishermen will head back out to sea this spring for the first time in three years, after the management council that sets fishing regulations voted to allow expanded salmon fishing this season.
At the finale of its meeting in Portland, Oregon this past weekend, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council voted to reopen both the commercial and recreational seasons — the latter which only was allowed to fish a handful of days over the last three years.
While the season is far more limited than previous seasons — before the historic shutdown — the new allotment re-energized a fishing industry that has been devastated in recent years.
“This has been the darkest period that I’ve seen in my thirty years in this industry,” said Jared Davis, owner of the Salty Lady charter fishing boat.
Davis was among local fishermen who during the closure, pivoted to rockfish, lingcod, striped bass and halibut. But he said salmon was the star attraction for his customers.