Salmon Fishing Rules Get Quick Correction Patch
Published Date: 9/3/2026
Rule
Summary
NMFS established fishery management measures for the ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California for the season beginning May 16, 2026, until the effective date of the 2027 management measures, which we expect to be May 16, 2027 (the 2026 ocean salmon fishing season), under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The final rule, published in the Federal Register on May 19, 2026, included an error in the management measures for recreational ocean salmon fisheries in the subarea from Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico border (Monterey). This action corrects an error by adding the text that was accidentally omitted from the May 19, 2026 rule and clarifies the applicability of bag limits and early 2027 management measures in the area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco).
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Inseason closures tied to Chinook thresholds
The rule confirms that inseason action may close open fishing days when total harvest is approaching area-specific harvest guidelines: 34,900 Chinook for Point Arena to Pigeon Point, 20,000 Chinook for the 38°02' N to Pigeon Point subarea (September/October), 21,800 Chinook for Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico border (May–August), and a statewide 20,000 Chinook guideline applicable to September and October open dates. These thresholds are triggers for closing open days to avoid exceeding the harvest guidelines.
Two-salmon daily limit (Monterey)
For the Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico border (Monterey) area, the rule specifies a bag limit of “all salmon except coho salmon, two salmon per day per person.” The 2026 season dates listed include April 11–May 15, 2026; May 16–August 31, 2026; and September 1–30, 2026, and the rule states the 2027 season in that area opens on April 3 with the same two-salmon limit.
San Francisco area seasons and limits
For the area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco), the corrected text sets open dates of June 27–July 22 and August 1–31, 2026, with a subarea (38°02' N to Pigeon Point) open September 1–October 31, 2026. The rule clarifies the bag limit for the whole Point Arena-to-Pigeon Point area as “all salmon except coho salmon, two salmon per day,” and says the 2027 season in that area opens April 3 with the same two-salmon limit and the same gear restrictions as in 2026.
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