Salmon Fishing in the Delta

October 25,  2018

Question: Is it legal to fish for salmon in the Delta, below the I-80 bridge? (Mark)

Answer: Mark, bridges are important landmarks and boundaries with regard to salmon fishing regulations in California. If you are referring to fishing below the Caltrans Maintenance Worker Memorial Bridge that spans the Sacramento River in West Sacramento, Sacramento River regulations apply. The season in that part of the river system runs from July 16 through Dec. 16 with a daily limit of one Chinook Salmon with two Chinook Salmon in possession.

Traveling further west down Interstate 80 near Crockett, the Carquinez Bridge is the dividing line between ocean salmon sport fishing regulations to the west and inland regulations to the east. Below – or west – of the Carquinez Bridge, the ocean Chinook Salmon season is open from June 17 through Oct. 31, 2018, with a minimum size limit of 20 inches and a daily bag limit of two salmon. Depending on where you are fishing east of the Carquinez Bridge in the Delta, different regulations may apply.

In the San Joaquin County portions of the Delta, for instance, Mokelumne River salmon regulations may apply. The salmon season there runs from July 16 through Dec. 16 with a daily limit of two Chinook Salmon. Please consult the 2018-2019 California Supplement Sport Fishing Regulations along with the 2018-2019 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations for detailed boundaries and descriptions. We thank you for being a conscientious salmon angler and wish you good luck the remainder of the season.

Pretty sure the San Joaquin (other than the Moke) is illegal for salmon take...