Salmon Season

Looks like salmon season will kick off on April 5th!

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=80195&inline=true

Can't wait!
Josh

25 days only? Is that normal?

25 days only? Is that normal?

Yes, sort of.  The decision for the rest of the year will be made at a different meeting in April that includes the PFMC.  For them to open it April 5 bodes well for a sport season.  Should be similar to last year's regulations.

* Regulations effective on or after May 1 will be decided by the Pacific Fishery
Management Council and California Fish and Game Commission in April 2014.

Thanks for the clarification!

 The PFMC meeting in Vancouver, WA, April 4-10th will be when they will finalize the whole season for all of California

These are the options for us up north and it will be similar for you guys down south except your season will probably extend till November.
Recreational CA KMZ

Alternative 1)  May 1st through September 7th, two chinook/day, 24" minimum size limit

Alternative 2)  May 17th through September 7th, two chinook/day, 24" minimum size limit

Alternative 3)  May 24th through September 1st, two chinook/day, 20" size limit

For example, this is from last year's press release.  I'd be surprised if 2014 was much different from 2013 - although the Monday and Tuesday closure thing I'm not sure about and hope doesn't repeat (like what's the point? statistically do more winter run chinook get caught on Mondays and Tuesdays?).  The 2 day salmon possession limit seems like it will be a big boon to the coastal communities that rely upon sport fishermen.

Summary of PFMC Ocean Season (2013):
 
The FGC also adopted sport fishing ocean regulations consistent with those adopted April 11 by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. From the Oregon-California border to Horse Mountain in Humboldt County the season will run from May 1 through September 8. In the Shelter Cove and Fort Bragg areas, the season opened April 6 and will continue through November 10. The minimum size limit in these ports north of Point Arena will be 20 inches the entire season.
 
Between Point Arena and Pigeon Point, in the San Francisco area, the PFMC set the season to be open seven days per week through November 10, except from June 1 through July 9, when Mondays and Tuesdays will be closed to salmon fishing. The minimum size limit is 24 inches through the end of July, and 20 inches thereafter.
 
For the areas south of Pigeon Point to the U.S-Mexico border, including Monterey Bay, salmon fishing will continue seven days per week through October 6, except from June 1 through July 9, when Mondays and Tuesdays will be closed to salmon fishing. The minimum size limit will remain 24 inches throughout the season.
 
The ocean bag and possession limit in California is two salmon of any species except coho. For complete California ocean salmon regulations, please visit the ocean salmon web page at: www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon.asp or call the Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline (707) 576-3429.

Actually you guys down south may have a slightly different season:
"The process continues to go well.  There was additional modeling today but all the season shaving/adjusting was done by the commercial folks and the recreational folks to the south of Pt. Arena.  The KMZ zones both for OR and CA remain as we originally submitted them.  All alternatives will be modeled and presented to the Council first thing in the morning for the Council's guidance if needed.  So far so good.  We will keep you posted.

Regarding public comment, the CA public hearing will NOT be held in Eureka as it has been the last several years but it will be in Santa Rosa on March 25th. 

Jimmy Y"


Our HASA guys report back on Humboldttuna.com  They attend all these meetings and keep us updated on the seasons in our area for halibut, salmon, rockfish etc.

The PFMC summary:  http://www.pcouncil.org/resources/archives/briefing-books/march-2014-briefing-book/#March2014

Heres the options for you guys down south:

Option 1
Horse Mt. to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
• April 5 through November 9.
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per
day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
In 2015, season opens April 4 for all salmon except coho,
two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20
inches total length (B); and the same gear restrictions as in
2014 (C.2, C.3).

Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
• April 5 through November 9.
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per
day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
In 2015, season opens April 4 for all salmon except coho,
two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24
inches total length (B); and the same gear restrictions as in
2014 (C.2, C.3)

Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey South)
• April 5 through October 5.
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per
day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
In 2015, season opens April 4 for all salmon except coho,
two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24
inches total length (B); and the same gear restrictions as in
2014 (C.2, C.3).



Option 2
Horse Mt. to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
• April 5 through November 2.
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per
day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
In 2015, same as Alternative I.

Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
• April 5 through November 9.
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per
day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total
length through May 31; 20 inches thereafter (B). See gear
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
In 2015, same as Alternative I.

Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey)
• April 5 through October 5.
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per
day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total
length through May 31; 20 inches thereafter (B). See gear
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
In 2015, same as Alternative I.


OPTION 3
Horse Mt. to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
• April 5 through November 2.
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per
day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
In 2015, same as Alternative I.

Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
• April 5 through November 9
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per
day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total
length through June 30; 20 inches thereafter (B). See gear
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
In 2015, same as Alternative I.

Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey)
• April 5 through October 5.
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per
day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total
length through June 30; 20 inches thereafter (B). See gear
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
In 2015, same as Alternative I.

C.2. Gear Restrictions:
 Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using barbless hooks. All persons fishing for salmon, and all persons fishing from a boat with salmon on board,
must meet the gear restrictions listed below for specific areas or seasons.

a. U.S./Canada Border to Point Conception, California: No more than one rod may be used per angler; and no more than two single point, single shank barbless hooks are
required for all fishing gear. [Note: ODFW regulations in the state-water fishery off Tillamook Bay may allow the use of barbed hooks to be consistent with inside
regulations.]

b. Horse Mountain, California, to Point Conception, California: Single point, single shank, barbless circle hooks (see gear definitions below) are required when fishing with bait
by any means other than trolling, and no more than two such hooks shall be used. When angling with two hooks, the distance between the hooks must not exceed five
inches when measured from the top of the eye of the top hook to the inner base of the curve of the lower hook, and both hooks must be permanently tied in place (hard tied).
Circle hooks are not required when artificial lures are used without bait.

C.3. Gear Definitions:

a. Recreational fishing gear defined: Off Oregon and Washington, angling tackle consists of a single line that must be attached to a rod and reel held by hand or closely
attended; the rod and reel must be held by hand while playing a hooked fish. No person may use more than one rod and line while fishing off Oregon or Washington. Off
California, the line must be attached to a rod and reel held by hand or closely attended; weights directly attached to a line may not exceed four pounds (1.8 kg). While
fishing off California north of Point Conception, no person fishing for salmon, and no person fishing from a boat with salmon on board, may use more than one rod and line.
Fishing includes any activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish.


b. Trolling defined: Angling from a boat or floating device that is making way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means of the prevailing water current or
weather conditions.


c. Circle hook defined: A hook with a generally circular shape and a point which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90° angle.

Thanks Rob! Can't wait.

So I can keep a pink salmon? Sweet!

So I can keep a pink salmon? Sweet!

But most likely not in a river

So I can keep a pink salmon? Sweet!

Just for you Sin Coast....  Good luck catching one

      Pink Salmon                                           minimum
OR/CA Border to Horse Mountain -                       20"
Horse Mt. to Pt. Arena                                         20"
Pt. Arena. to U.S./Mexico Border: 
                                         Alt. I                        24.0"
                                         Alt II ≤ May 31         20.0"
                                         Alt II ≥ June 1          26.0"
                                         Alt III ≤ June 30       20.0"
                                         Alt III ≥ July 1          24.0"

The daily bag limit will remain at two Chinook salmon but the Commission recently took action to change the salmon possession limit. Two daily bag limits are now allowed in possession when on land; however, when on a vessel in ocean waters, no person shall possess or bring ashore more than one daily bag limit. Yea. Great news for guys who wish to stay another day. Great news. You can fish two day and have 2 limits to take back.

Salmon trolling.  Can't wait.