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SACRAMENTO — Federal fishery managers voted Sunday to reopen California ocean waters to limited commercial and recreational salmon fishing after a three-year closure, citing rebounds in Sacramento River and Klamath River fall-run Chinook populations. The Pacific Fishery Management Council issued the advisory vote; the U.S. Secretary of Commerce is expected to publish the final rule in the Federal Register within days. This weekend decision follows wet winters and habitat work that improved river conditions after the 2021–22 drought. California officials, including Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot and CDFW Director Meghan Hertel, welcomed the move this week and Governor Gavin Newsom issued a supportive statement. Managers set an initial open period from May 1 through May 6, imposed vessel restrictions of six lines, a 160-fish per-period cap per vessel, and a seasonal cap of 83,000 fish through August; managers kept commercial coho fishing closed and emphasized monitoring and enforcement.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.