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Chinook salmon Regulations in California (2026)

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Recreational chinook salmon rules in California saltwater, as published by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 7, 2026.

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Season
The recreational fishery for ocean salmon (Onchorynchus spp.) is…

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Recreational Chinook salmon rules in California

Where
Northern Management Area
Season
The recreational fishery for ocean salmon (Onchorynchus spp.) is closed statewide for the remainder of 2026. The 2027 ocean salmon season dates will be available in April, 2027 after federal and state review of 2026 spawning escapements, 2027 ocean abundance forecasts, annual management objectives, and other relevant issues. For further season information, please visit the Ocean Salmon Fishery Information web page.

Official source

Where
Mendocino Management Area
Season
The recreational fishery for ocean salmon (Onchorynchus spp.) is closed for the remainder of 2026. The 2027 ocean salmon season dates will be available in April, 2027 after federal and state review of 2026 spawning escapements, 2027 ocean abundance forecasts, annual management objectives, and other relevant issues. For further season information, please visit the Ocean Salmon Fishery Information web page.

Official source

Where
San Francisco Management Area
Season
The recreational fishery for ocean salmon (Onchorynchus spp.) is closed for the remainder of the year. The 2027 ocean salmon season dates will be available starting in April, 2027 after federal and state review of 2026 spawning escapements, 2027 ocean abundance forecasts, annual management objectives, and other relevant issues.

Official source

Where
Central Management Area
Season
The recreational fishery for ocean salmon (Onchorynchus spp.) is closed for the remainder of the year. 2027 ocean salmon season dates will be available beginning in April, 2027 after federal and state review of 2026 spawning escapements, 2027 ocean abundance forecasts, annual management objectives, and other relevant issues.

Official source

Where
Southern Management Area
Season
The recreational fishery for ocean salmon (Onchorynchus spp.) is closed for the rest of the year. 2027 ocean salmon season dates will be available beginning in April, 2027 after federal and state review of 2026 spawning escapements, 2027 ocean abundance forecasts, annual management objectives, and other relevant issues.

Official source

Where
San Francisco Bay District (bays & inshore)
Season
The recreational fishery for ocean salmon (Onchorynchus spp.) is closed for the remainder of the year. The 2027 ocean salmon season dates will be available beginning in April 2027 after federal and state review of 2026 spawning escapements, 2027 ocean abundance forecasts, annual management objectives, and other relevant issues.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 5 commercial rules
Where
Northern Management Area (Klamath Management Zone: California/Oregon border to 40°10′ N. lat.) (summer season) (ocean)
Size limit
Minimum size limit: 27 inches total length
Bag limit
Harvest limit of 83,000 Chinook applicable to open areas south of Pt. Arena; Landing limit of 100 65 Chinook per vessel per open period applies across the combined management areas south of P t. Arena. Possession limit of 100 65 Chinook; Minimum size limit: 27 inches total length; All salmon must be landed south of 40°10’ N. lat and within 24 hours of any closure of the fishery.
Season
Summer Harvest Regulations - OR/CA Border to the 40°10’ Line (Klamath Management Zone): Closed
  • Single point, single shank barbless hooks are required
  • No more than 6 lines are allowed per vessel (CCR T-14, §182)
  • Open days and limits as printed in the CDFW commercial regulations PDF; values struck through in the PDF (changed or closed in-season) appear side by side in its text - see in-season overrides.
  • Update August 19, 2026: THE 83,000 CHINOOK SUMMER HARVEST LIMIT HAS BEEN ATTAINED. NOAA Fisheries took inseason action on August 19, 2026 to close the remaining August dates.
  • All salmon except coho; all commercial salmon must be landed in California (CCR T-14, § 182)
  • Federal ocean salmon regulations (NMFS West Coast Region) also apply; a commercial salmon vessel permit and salmon stamp are required (FGC §§8230, 7860).

Official source

Where
Mendocino Management Area (Fort Bragg Management Area: 40°10′ N. lat. to Point Arena) (summer season) (ocean)
Size limit
Minimum size limit: 27 inches total length
Bag limit
Harvest limit of 83,000 Chinook applicable to open areas south of Pt. Arena; Landing limit of 100 65 Chinook per vessel per open period applies across the combined management areas south of P t. Arena. Possession limit of 100 65 Chinook; Minimum size limit: 27 inches total length; All salmon must be landed south of 40°10’ N. lat and within 24 hours of any closure of the fishery.
Season
Summer Harvest Regulations - 40°10’ Line to Pt. Arena (Fort Bragg): Closed
  • Single point, single shank barbless hooks are required
  • No more than 6 lines are allowed per vessel (CCR T-14, §182)
  • Open days and limits as printed in the CDFW commercial regulations PDF; values struck through in the PDF (changed or closed in-season) appear side by side in its text - see in-season overrides.
  • Update August 19, 2026: THE 83,000 CHINOOK SUMMER HARVEST LIMIT HAS BEEN ATTAINED. NOAA Fisheries took inseason action on August 19, 2026 to close the remaining August dates.
  • All salmon except coho; all commercial salmon must be landed in California (CCR T-14, § 182)
  • Federal ocean salmon regulations (NMFS West Coast Region) also apply; a commercial salmon vessel permit and salmon stamp are required (FGC §§8230, 7860).

Official source

Where
San Francisco Management Area (summer season) (ocean)
Size limit
Minimum size limit: 27 inches total length
Bag limit
Harvest limit of 83,000 Chinook applicable to open areas south of Pt. Arena; Landing limit of 100 65 Chinook per vessel per open period applies across the combined management areas south of P t. Arena. Possession limit of 100 65 Chinook; Minimum size limit: 27 inches total length; All salmon must be landed south of 40°10’ N. lat and within 24 hours of any closure of the fishery.
Season
Summer Harvest Regulations - Pt. Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco): May 1-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-29, August 1-7, 13-16, 25-27 Closed
  • Single point, single shank barbless hooks are required
  • No more than 6 lines are allowed per vessel (CCR T-14, §182)
  • Open days and limits as printed in the CDFW commercial regulations PDF; values struck through in the PDF (changed or closed in-season) appear side by side in its text - see in-season overrides.
  • Update August 19, 2026: THE 83,000 CHINOOK SUMMER HARVEST LIMIT HAS BEEN ATTAINED. NOAA Fisheries took inseason action on August 19, 2026 to close the remaining August dates.
  • All salmon except coho; all commercial salmon must be landed in California (CCR T-14, § 182)
  • Federal ocean salmon regulations (NMFS West Coast Region) also apply; a commercial salmon vessel permit and salmon stamp are required (FGC §§8230, 7860).

Official source

Where
Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico border (Monterey and South Management Area) (summer season) (ocean)
Size limit
Minimum size limit: 27 inches total length
Bag limit
Harvest limit of 83,000 Chinook applicable to open areas south of Pt. Arena; Landing limit of 100 65 Chinook per vessel per open period applies across the combined management areas south of P t. Arena. Possession limit of 100 65 Chinook; Minimum size limit: 27 inches total length; All salmon must be landed south of 40°10’ N. lat and within 24 hours of any closure of the fishery.
Season
Summer Harvest Regulations - Pigeon Pt. to the U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey and south): May 1-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-29, June 3-8, 12-16, 26-30, July 6-10, 20-24, August 1-7, 13-16, 25-27 Closed
  • Single point, single shank barbless hooks are required
  • No more than 6 lines are allowed per vessel (CCR T-14, §182)
  • Open days and limits as printed in the CDFW commercial regulations PDF; values struck through in the PDF (changed or closed in-season) appear side by side in its text - see in-season overrides.
  • Update August 19, 2026: THE 83,000 CHINOOK SUMMER HARVEST LIMIT HAS BEEN ATTAINED. NOAA Fisheries took inseason action on August 19, 2026 to close the remaining August dates.
  • All salmon except coho; all commercial salmon must be landed in California (CCR T-14, § 182)
  • Federal ocean salmon regulations (NMFS West Coast Region) also apply; a commercial salmon vessel permit and salmon stamp are required (FGC §§8230, 7860).

Official source

Where
San Francisco Management Area (38°02′ N. lat. to Pigeon Point subarea) (fall season) (ocean)
Size limit
Minimum size limit: 26 inches total length
Bag limit
Harvest limit of 20,000 Chinook; Landing limit of 100 Chinook per vessel per open period. Possession limit of 100 Chinook; Minimum size limit: 26 inches total length; All salmon must be landed between Pt. Arena and Pigeon Pt. and within 24 hours of any closure of the fishery.
Season
Fall Harvest Regulations - 38°02’ N. lat. to Pigeon Pt. Subarea: September 4 -8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-30
  • Single point, single shank barbless hooks are required
  • No more than 6 lines are allowed per vessel (CCR T-14, §182)
  • All salmon except coho; all commercial salmon must be landed in California (CCR T-14, § 182)
  • Federal ocean salmon regulations (NMFS West Coast Region) also apply; a commercial salmon vessel permit and salmon stamp are required (FGC §§8230, 7860).

Official source

Quick answers

When is chinook salmon season in California?

The recreational fishery for ocean salmon (Onchorynchus spp.) is closed statewide for the remainder of 2026. The 2027 ocean salmon season dates will be available in April, 2027 after federal and state review of 2026 spawning escapements, 2027 ocean abundance forecasts, annual management objectives, and other relevant issues. For further season information, please visit the Ocean Salmon Fishery Information web page.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Chinook salmon limits in other states →

More salmon & trout in California

All California saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a California saltwater license or registry: get one here.