(FOX40.COM) — Anglers will once again be able to fish for Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River this summer, after a three-year closure.
On Wednesday, the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously passed new fishing regulations. The updated regulations reverse fishing closures for Chinook salmon as populations continue to rebound in the central valley.
“We’ve increased hatchery production. We’ve got more investments in salmon research and habitat restoration projects. We’ve had a series of good water years,” said Krysten Kellum, information officer with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
This year’s salmon season will begin July 16 for most stretches of the Sacramento River. Anglers will be allowed to keep two Chinook salmon per day, with a four-fish possession limit.
“This year they’re expecting between 250 to 300,000 salmon returning, which would be the highest I can remember in a long time,” said Michael Rasmussen.
Rasmussen has been guiding fishing charters on the Sacramento River for 24 years. He said after three years of closures, this could turn into an epic season.
“We’re going to see a lot of those four-year-old fish that… started seeing the benefits of the closure right off the bat,” he said. “They’re going to average, you know, 27 to 34 pounds.”
Rasmussen says navigating the years-long closure wasn’t easy, but he expects a major turnout on opening day — with anglers from all over the world looking to catch the prized fish.
“I’ve had customers from all over, from Europe, from Australia,” he said.
With excitement building for that first bite of 2026, he’s already preparing for a busy season ahead.
“We’re gearing up, tying leaders, getting stuff ready… getting bait,” he said. “We go out hard for six months after it opens up.”
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