A slight increase in coho salmon in Northern California this year has prompted a federal fishing council to recommend opening recreational salmon fishing along the West Coast for the first time since 2022, the council announced April 15.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council, however, proposed closing commercial salmon fishing for the third year in a row on Tuesday.
All California ocean commercial salmon fisheries from the Oregon border to the Mexico border will remain closed, the council announced.
“The council remains firmly committed to meeting our conservation and management goals,” said council Chair Brad Pettinger. “2025 presented numerous challenges and the council put a lot of effort into exploring possible options and developing meaningful fishing opportunities this year.”…