March 23, 2026 — For the first time in four years, California’s salmon fishery is set to reopen this spring– offering a long-awaited opportunity for commercial fishermen who have weathered consecutive closures tied to historically low stock levels.
The commercial season, shuttered since 2023, is expected to open in mid-May, with final dates and regulations to be determined in April by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). While the reopening signals a rebound in salmon abundance, many in the commercial fleet say the path forward is far from certain.
According to the Calif. Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), salmon populations have more than doubled compared to last year, enough to support both recreational and commercial fisheries in 2026. “Salmon stocks have recovered to the point that sport and commercial ocean fisheries can be offered this year,” said CDFW’s Marci Yaremko to Lookout Santa Cruz.