California commercial fall ocean salmon open window ends tonight

California’s fall commercial ocean salmon fleet is on a short-week clock. CDFW’s Ocean Salmon Fishery Information page lists the fall commercial schedule for the 38°02′ N. lat. to Pigeon Point subarea as open Sept. 4–8, then again Sept. 11–15, 18–22, and 25–30 — with today’s Sept. 8 date ending the current open block.

The fall commercial harvest limit is 20,000 Chinook. Landing and possession limits are 100 Chinook per vessel per open period, minimum size 26 inches total length, and fish must be landed between Point Arena and Pigeon Point within 24 hours of any closure. Coho retention stays off; barbless gear and electronic fish-ticket rules apply.

In-season managers can shrink limits or shut days early if the harvest limit is approaching. Commercial skippers should re-check CDFW’s commercial tracker and the NMFS ocean salmon hotline (800-662-9825) before the next Sept. 11–15 window.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: CDFW Ocean Salmon Fishery Information — 2026 Commercial Fall Harvest Regulations (open periods Sept. 4–8, 11–15, 18–22, 25–30; 20,000 Chinook harvest limit).