Fraser River Salmon Rules: When and Where to Cast Lines
Published Date: 1/23/2026
Rule
Summary
The Fraser River Panel is setting the rules for salmon fishing in U.S. waters for 2026, affecting both tribal and non-tribal commercial fishers. They’re announcing when and where fishing is allowed to keep salmon populations healthy and the fishing fair. These temporary orders help manage fishing seasons without costing extra money but make sure everyone follows the plan on time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Tribal commercial drift gillnet openings
If you are a treaty tribal commercial fisher operating in the Puget Sound Panel Area, the Panel opened Areas 4B, 5, and 6C for drift gillnet fishing on multiple multi-day periods in August and September 2025 (for example, Aug 7–9, Aug 9–13, Aug 13–16, Aug 16–20, Aug 27–30, Sep 3–6, 2025). On Aug 27–30 and Sep 3–6, 2025, sockeye may be retained only for ceremonial and subsistence purposes.
All-citizen commercial fishing windows and sockeye limits
If you are a non-tribal (all citizen) commercial fisher in the Puget Sound Panel Area, the Panel opened Areas 6, 7, and 7A and Areas 7/7A for purse seine, drift gillnet, reef net, and net fishing on specific dates in August and September 2025 (e.g., Aug 11–12, Aug 12, Aug 15, Aug 19, Aug 28, Sep 3–4, 2025). In several openings (for example Aug 28 and Sep 3–4, 2025) the orders require that sockeye must be released and may not be retained.
Orders effective upon hotline announcement
The inseason orders became effective immediately upon announcement on two telephone hotline numbers as specified at 50 CFR 300.97(b)(1) and 90 FR 20810 (May 16, 2025). Official Federal Register publication follows "as soon as practicable" after hotline announcement.
Waiver of prior notice and 30‑day delay
NMFS waived prior public notice and comment and the 30-day delay in effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 553 for these inseason orders because timely action was impracticable; orders could therefore be issued and take effect without the usual notice period to respond to rapid changes in stock abundance.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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