The salmon season for ocean waters south of Horse Mountain in Humboldt County to the U.S.-Mexico border has opened.
Season dates for ocean waters north of the Horse Mountain site will be decided within a few days by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PMFC) and the state Fish and Game Commission (FGC).
A map of each area along with general sport fishing regulations related to each area can be viewed at http://dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/salmonsport10.pdf.
All Chinook salmon harvested must meet the size limit for the zone where they are taken. All coho salmon are protected by law and if caught must be released unharmed. Current regulations include the following:
Limit is two salmon per day of any species (except coho). And minimum size limit is 20 inches total length.
Closing dates of all ocean seasons and size limits may be changed by the PMFC and FGC at their April meetings. Ocean salmon sport seasons in effect on or after May 1 will also be determined at the April meetings.
Sport season options currently being evaluated can be found at www.pcouncil.org.
Anglers can review additional requirements of the ocean salmon regulations (section 27.80) in the Ocean Sportfishing Booklet on DFG's Web site at: www.dfg.ca.gov.
Joe Segura, a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, has covered Gotham City, er Long Beach, for 34 years. During his very, very long -- endless -- tenure, he's covered almost every beat, and he was the main writer for BeachWeek, which focused on life and lifestyles of the shoreline communities from downtown Long Beach to the Huntington Beach pier.
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