Fishing for Salmon at Night on the Ocean or River

September 20, 2013
 
Question: I have a question about ocean fishing from a boat at night. Is it legal to target salmon? What about fishing for salmon on rivers at night? I have looked all through the regulations and can’t find anything. Can you please clarify? (Mike G., Sacramento)

Answer: There are no time restrictions when fishing in the ocean unless you are fishing from a beach with a curfew. In most inland waters, salmon may only be taken between one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. (See CCR Title 14, section 3.00.) Night fishing for salmon is legal, however, in certain areas of the valley 3.00(b), south of interstate 80, 3.00(b)(2)(D). For more details, please check out the 2013-2014 Freshwater Fishing Regulations booklet available online at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/ or wherever fishing licenses are sold.