Overview
- Federal fishery managers, who voted Sunday, approved a tightly controlled 2026 season and sent the plan to the National Marine Fisheries Service for final rules within days.
- California will use vessel-based trip limits and seasonal harvest guidelines for the first time, with in-season management that can close the fishery early if catch targets are met.
- San Francisco–area boats face caps such as 160 Chinook per vessel during select May and August openings and 100 on specified September dates, with different schedules by region.
- Recreational anglers get more open days in 2026 after full closures in 2023 and 2024 and only six open days in 2025, with details posted by the state as regulations are finalized.
- Managers credit wetter winters and habitat work, including 2024 Klamath River dam removals, for better forecasts, though the industry still reels from the record three-year shutdown and only limited relief of $20.6 million.