Fall salmon closed

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=231269

Fall Harvest Guideline: 7,500 Chinook
UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 17, 2025: THE 7,500 CHINOOK SUMMER HARVEST GUIDELINE HAS
BEEN MET. Inseason action was taken to close the remaining September and October dates
Point Reyes to Pigeon Point (San Francisco Subarea):
September 4-7 & 29-30; October 1-5 & 27-31 Closed
Pigeon Point to Point Sur (Monterey Subarea):
September 4-7 & 29-30 Closed

Bummer

Yup...

I assumed as much. They’re getting them up to 25” in Berryessa. Not the same tasting of course.

Yeah, not surprised.  Inland (some parts of the delta) is still open I think. 

I assumed as much. They’re getting them up to 25” in Berryessa. Not the same tasting of course.

I'd love to get into those - even if not as tasty as ocean salmon.  Still haven't made it up there. Any idea how deep those are right now?

For Inland fishing, only the Feather, American and the Mokelumne Rivers are open for Salmon this year. Of course the Kings in lakes like Berryessa, Folsom, Oroville are not included in the closure.
I'm testing the water on the American this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.
Kevin

For Inland fishing, only the Feather, American and the Mokelumne Rivers are open for Salmon this year. Of course the Kings in lakes like Berryessa, Folsom, Oroville are not included in the closure.
I'm testing the water on the American this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.
Kevin

Right on Kevin, looking forward to your report!

For Berry they have been getting them from 50' down to 100' deep. As it cools they come up shallower. You can search Berryessa Water Temps and there is a temp graph of water depths at 0, 5', 10', 40' and 70', as well as current lake level, which is still only about 10' from full. The temps at 40' look a bit warm for salmon still, but trout are probably coming up to 30'-40'.
Last winter I saw a bass guy land a 20" king right next to shore.

American River Report 9/20.
Scouted the river from Paradise Beach up to the Nimbus Hatchery from 6am to 11. The water flows are up for this time of year compared to the last 4-5 years. Several of my go to spots were like lakes so access was limited. Talked to several of my fishing partners and they have had descent luck during mid week. It was a different story on Saturday. Only saw one Jack caught. I had one brief hookup but it popped in just a few seconds. Looks like we'll need some rain to really get things going.
Kevin.

Thanks for the report Kevin. Work is pretty busy right now, so I'm out of the game for a couple weeks. I hope to give the Mokulmne or American a shot this fall, maybe the time will line up just right. I will post a hookup if I do get a dau free.

They’re getting them up to 25” in Berryessa.

This is Berry Berry tempting... to me.

American River Report 9/20.
Scouted the river from Paradise Beach up to the Nimbus Hatchery from 6am to 11. The water flows are up for this time of year compared to the last 4-5 years. Several of my go to spots were like lakes so access was limited. Talked to several of my fishing partners and they have had descent luck during mid week. It was a different story on Saturday. Only saw one Jack caught. I had one brief hookup but it popped in just a few seconds. Looks like we'll need some rain to really get things going.
Kevin.

Thanks for the report, Kevin!

I also want to try this fishery this fall.
I’ve never done the American off a kayak.

May I ask: do you mainly cast spinners? Or is it more of a trolling game for you?

Pasha,
 the American can be a difficult and dangerous place to fish. The flows out of the Folsom and Nimbus dams fluctuate constantly, day by day and even hour to hour. There are spots with wide flat frog water and then just around the bend there's mild rapids. The bottom has holes 30' deep and then there are spots with 5" of water. It all depends on the flows. There are submerged snags too!
Ok, enough of the negative stuff. Just wanted to let you know.

When on the Kayak, we mostly are at anchor and fish with a flatfish or Spinners like Silertrons. This requires a quick release Anchor System! MooMoo made a video of how to set one up a few years ago.

Most of the time due to low water levels, we use the kayaks only to get to spots that have limited or no shore access, beach the kayaks and toss lures like Flying C's, Blue Fox Vibrax spinners or simply drift beads.

There are a few spots you can jig for them too but most of those are on the extreme lower end near Discovery Park and unfortunately, that section(A) is closed for Salmon this year.
 
The upper section(C), from approximately Ancil Hoffman Park up stream to the Nimbus Hatchery is barbless only. The Middle section(B) from Ansil Hoffman down to Paradise Beach you are allowed to used barbed hooks.
 Be sure to read the reg carefully. They define exactly where the sections begin and end.

 The limit is only one Salmon per day this year, so to be honest, for one fish, it may not be worth the trip if anyone has to travel very far.
 Kevin

Really appreciate the write-up, Kevin. 🙏

TBD if I’ll make it out before section B closes.
 I’ll post on here if I do.