Waterbody · California
Sacramento River Fishing Regulations 2026
Sacramento River fishing regulations as of 2026-05-06: 435 current rules from CDFW. Anglers target salmon, steelhead.
Species pages for Sacramento River
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (435)
CDFW regulates 435 rules across 16 species at this water.
Hatchery Steelhead
Anadromous Waters Of Tehama And Shasta Cos. Not Listed In The Special Regulations. (Section 7.40). (See Subsections (B)(80) Of Section 7.40, Regarding The Sacramento River.)
- Season closes
- Nov 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
Albion River (Mendocino Co.). Main Stem Below The Confluence Of South Fork Albion.
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Alder Creek (Mendocino Co.). Main Stem Below Tramway Gulch.
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
All Anadromous Waters Except Those Listed By Name In Section 7.40, Special Regulations (See Definition Of Anadromous Waters, Section 1.04)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
All Anadromous Waters Except Those Listed By Name In Section 7.40, Special Regulations (See Defnition Of Anadromous Waters, Section 1.04).
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
All Anadromous Waters Tributary To Humboldt Bay, And North Of Humboldt Bay, Except Those Of The Klamath And Trinity River Systems And Those Listed By Name In The Special Regulations.
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
American River (Sacramento Co.) From The Jibboom Street Bridge To The Mouth.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Dec 16
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
American River (Sacramento Co.) From The Smud Power Line Crossing At The Southwest Boundary Of Ancil Hoffman Park Downstream To The Jibboom Street Bridge.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
American River (Sacramento Co.) From The U.s. Geological Survey Gauging Station Cable Crossing About 300 Yards Downstream From The Nimbus Hatchery Fsh Rack Site To The Smud Power Line Crossing At The Southwest Boundary Of Ancil Hoffman Park.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Antelope Creek (Tehama Co.) From Confluence With North Fork Downstream To U.s. Geological Survey Gauging Station Cable Crossing At Mouth Of Antelope Creek Canyon.
- Season closes
- Nov 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Antelope Creek (Tehama Co.) From U.s. Geological Survey Gauging Station Cable Crossing At Mouth Of Antelope Creek Canyon Downstream To Mouth Of Antelope Creek.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jun 16
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Antelope Creek From Confluence With North Fork Downstream To U.s. Geological Survey Gauging Station Cable Crossing At Mouth Of Antelope Creek Canyon.
- Season closes
- Nov 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
Antelope Creek From U.s. Geological Survey Gauging Station Cable Crossing At Mouth Of Antelope Creek Canyon Downstream To Mouth Of Antelope Creek.Out of season
- Season opens
- Dec 1
- Season closes
- Mar 7
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and opening and closing days.
Aptos Creek (Santa Cruz Co.) From Mouth To Bridge On Aptos Creek Road (First Bridge On Aptos Creek Road).
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Arroyo De La Cruz From Mouth To Lopez Canyon Dam.In season
- Season opens
- Dec 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
Arroyo Del Valle Between Bernal Ave. And The Thiessen St. Intersection With Vineyard Ave.
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
from the fourth Sat. in May through Mar. 31. Only barbless hooks may be used from Nov. 1 through Mar. 31.
Arroyo Seco River (Monterey Co.). The Main Stem Arroyo Seco And Tributaries Below The Waterfall Located Approximately 3.5 Miles Upstream From The U.s. Forest Service Ranger Station.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Auburn Ravine Creek And Tributaries (Placer Co.) East Of Nelson Lane.
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Battle Creek (12)
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
Battle Creek (13)
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Battle Creek (Shasta And Tehama Cos.) From 250 Feet Upstream From The Coleman Fish Hatchery Upstream To Angel Falls (Near Mineral) On The South Fork And To Ponderosa Way Bridge On The North Fork.
- Season closes
- Nov 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Battle Creek From 250 Feet Upstream From The Coleman Fish Hatchery Upstream To Angel Falls (Near Mineral) On The South Fork And To Ponderosa Way Bridge On The North Fork.
- Season closes
- Nov 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
Bear River (Humboldt Co.) Downstream From County Road Bridge At Capetown, Excluding Tributaries.
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Bear River And Tributaries (Placer Co.) From Highway 65 To The South Sutter Irrigation District Diversion Dam.
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Big Chico Creek
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Big Chico Creek (Butte Co.) From Bear Hole To The Upper Boundary Of The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve.Out of season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Big Chico Creek (Butte Co.) From Mouth To Bear Hole, Located Approximately One Mile Downstream From The Upper End Of Bidwell Park.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jun 16
- Season closes
- Feb 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Big Chico Creek From Bear Hole To The Upper Boundary Of The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve.Out of season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
Big Chico Creek From Mouth To Bear Hole, Located Approximately One Mile Downstream From The Upper End Of Bidwell Park.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jun 16
- Season closes
- Feb 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
from Oct. 16 through Feb. 15.
Big Lagoon (Humboldt Co.). For Purposes Of This Subsection, The Boundary Between Big Lagoon And Maple Creek Is The First Private Road Bridge, Located Approximately 1/2 Mile Southeast Of The Highway 101 Bridge Crossing.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Big River (Mendocino Co.). Main Stem Below The Confluence Of Two Log Creek.
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Brush Creek (Mendocino Co.). Main Stem Below The Lawson Bridge.
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Butano Creek (San Mateo Co.). From Mouth To County Bridge On Pescadero-Bean Hollow Road.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Butte Creek (Butte And Sutter Cos.) From Oro-Chico Road Bridge Crossing South Of Chico To The Centerville Head Dam, Located 300 Yards Downstream From The Desabla Powerhouse Below Desabla Reservoir.Out of season
- Season opens
- Nov 15
- Season closes
- Feb 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Calaveras River Downstream From New Hogan Dam And The Diverting Canal (Mormon Slough) From Bellota Weir Downstream To Interstate Highway 5
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Every Body Of Water Listed In Subsection (B)Closed
- Status
- Closed
Every body of water listed in subsection (b) is closed to the take of hatchery trout, hatchery steelhead, and salmon and to fishing for these species, unless otherwise noted.
From The Jibboom Street Bridge To The Mouth.Out of season
- Season opens
- Dec 17
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
From The Smud Power Line Crossing At The Southwest Boundary Of Ancil Hoffman Park Downstream To The Jibboom Street Bridge.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
From The U.s. Geological Survey Gauging Station Cable Crossing About 300 Yards Downstream From The Nimbus Hatchery Fish Rack Site To The Smud Power Line Crossing At The Southwest Boundary Of Ancil Hoffman Park.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
That Portion Of Any Stream West Of Any Highway 1 Bridge Except Those Listed By Name In Section 7.40, Special Regulations.Out of season
- Season opens
- Dec 1
- Season closes
- Mar 7
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and opening and closing days.
Chinook Salmon
Sacramento River From The Deschutes Road Bridge To Woodson BridgeClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
Sacramento River From The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights Landing To The Carquinez Bridge (Includes Suisun Bay, Grizzly Bay And All Tributary Sloughs West Of Highway 160)Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Dec 16
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
The Main Stem Of The Sacramento River Between The Deschutes Road Bridge And Tower BridgeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Filleting exception from July 1 through December 31
Main Stem Of The Sacramento River Between The Deschutes Road Bridge And Tower BridgeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
filleting exception from July 1 through December 31
Sacramento River From Woodson Bridge To The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights LandingClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Dec 16
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
Sacramento River From Woodson Bridge To The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights Landing.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
Sacramento River From The Deschutes Road Bridge To Woodson Bridge.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
Sacramento River From The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights Landing To The Carquinez Bridge (Includes Suisun Bay, Grizzly Bay And All Tributary Sloughs West Of Highway 160).Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
All Anadromous Waters Of The Klamath River Basin And Trinity River Downstream Of Lewiston DamClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
During closures to the take of adult salmon, it shall be unlawful to remove any adult Chinook Salmon from the water by any means.
All Anadromous Waters Of The Klamath River Basin And Trinity River Downstream Of Lewiston Dam.Closed
- Status
- Prohibited
During closures to the take of adult salmon, it shall be unlawful to remove any adult Chinook Salmon from the water by any means.
American River (Sacramento Co.) From The Jibboom Street Bridge To The Mouth.Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Dec 16
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
American River (Sacramento Co.) From The Smud Power Line Crossing At The Southwest Boundary Of Ancil Hoffman Park Downstream To The Jibboom Street Bridge.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
American River (Sacramento Co.) From The U.s. Geological Survey Gauging Station Cable Crossing About 300 Yards Downstream From The Nimbus Hatchery Fsh Rack Site To The Smud Power Line Crossing At The Southwest Boundary Of Ancil Hoffman Park.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Eel River (Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino And Trinity Cos.) Main Stem. From Fulmor Road, At Its Paved Junction With The South Bank Of The Eel River, To South Fork Eel River.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Eel River (Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino And Trinity Cos.) Main Stem. From South Fork Eel River To Cape Horn Dam.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Eel River (Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino And Trinity Cos.) Main Stem. From The Mouth To Fulmor Road, At Its Paved Junction With The South Bank Of The Eel River.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Eel River, Main Stem. From Fulmor Road, At Its Paved Junction With The South Bank Of The Eel River, To South Fork Eel River. Also See Subsection 8.00(A), Low-Flow Restrictions.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Catch and release of ChinookSalmon.
Eel River, Main Stem. From South Fork Eel River To Cape Horn Dam.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- May 22
- Season closes
- Sep 30
Catch and release of ChinookSalmon.
Eel River, Main Stem. From The Mouth To Fulmor Road, At Its Paved Junction With The South Bank Of Eel River. Also See Subsection 8.00(A), Low-Flow Restrictions.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Catch and release of ChinookSalmon.
Feather River Below Fish Barrier Dam(Butte, Sutter And Yuba Cos.). From 200 Yards Above Live Oak Boat Ramp To The Highway 99 Bridge.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Feather River Below Fish Barrier Dam(Butte, Sutter And Yuba Cos.). From The Highway 99 Bridge To The Mouth.Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Dec 16
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
Feather River Below Fish Barrier Dam(Butte, Sutter And Yuba Cos.). From The Unimproved Boat Ramp Above The Thermalito Afterbay Outfall To 200 Yards Above The Live Oak Boat Ramp.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Sep 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Feather RiversOpen
- Status
- Permitted
filleting exception from July 1 through December 31
From 200 Yards Above Live Oak Boat Ramp To The Highway 99 BridgeOut of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
From 200 Yards Above Live Oak Boat Ramp To The Mouth. For Purposes Of This Regulation, The Lower Boundary Is Defined As A Straight Line Drawn From The Peninsula Point On The West Bank To The Verona Marine Boat Ramp.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
From Camanche Dam To Elliot Road.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
From Elliot Road To The Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam Including Lodi Lake.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
From The Highway 99 Bridge To The Mouth. For Purposes Of This Subsection, The Lower Boundary Is Defined As A Straight Line Drawn From The Peninsula Point On The West Bank To The Verona Marina Boat Ramp.Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Dec 16
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
From The Jibboom Street Bridge To The Mouth.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
From The Lower Sacramento Road Bridge To The Mouth. For Purposes Of This Subsection, This River Segment Is Defined As Mokelumne River And Its Tributary Sloughs Downstream Of The Lower Sacramento Road Bridge And East Of Highway 160 And North Of Highway 12.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
From The Smud Power Line Crossing At The Southwest Boundary Of Ancil Hoffman Park Downstream To The Jibboom Street Bridge.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
From The U.s. Geological Survey Gauging Station Cable Crossing About 300 Yards Downstream From The Nimbus Hatchery Fish Rack Site To The Smud Power Line Crossing At The Southwest Boundary Of Ancil Hoffman Park.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
From The Unimproved Boat Ramp Above The Thermalito Afterbay Outfall To 200 Yards Above The Live Oak Boat Ramp.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
Klamath RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon from Aug. 15 through Dec. 31
Klamath River Downstream Of The Highway 96 Bridge At WeitchpecClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Aug 15
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon Aug. 15-Dec 31, 2024. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon Aug. 15-Dec 31, 2025.
Klamath River From California-Oregon State Line To Copco Road Bridge At CopcoClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
Klamath River From California-Oregon State Line To Copco Road Bridge At Copco.Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Aug 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon.
Klamath River From Interstate 5 Bridge To The Highway 96 Bridge At WeitchpecClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Aug 15
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon Aug. 15-Dec 31, 2024. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon Aug. 15 through Dec 31, 2025. This is the cumulative quota for subsections 2.c. and 2.d.
Klamath River From Interstate 5 Bridge To The Highway 96 Bridge At Weitchpec.Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Aug 15
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon.
Klamath River From Lakeview Road Bridge Near Iron Gate To Interstate 5 BridgeClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Aug 15
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon: Aug. 15 to Dec. 31, 2024. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon: Aug. 15 to Dec. 31, 2025. This is the cumulative quota for subsections 2.c. and 2.d.
Klamath River From Lakeview Road Bridge Near Iron Gate To Interstate 5 Bridge.Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Aug 15
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon.
Klamath-Trinity River SystemOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 23"
jack Chinook salmon is defined as any Chinook salmon that is less than or equal to 23 inches total length
Main Stem From The Mouth To Confluence Of Middle And South Forks
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Main Stem Of The AmericanOpen
- Status
- Permitted
filleting exception from July 1 through December 31
Middle Fork Smith River From Mouth To Patrick Creek
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Middle Fork Smith River, From Mouth To Patrick Creek
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Mokelumne River (San Joaquin Co.) From Camanche Dam To Elliot RoadOut of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Sep 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Mokelumne River (San Joaquin Co.) From Elliot Road To The Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam Including Lodi LakeOut of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Mokelumne River (San Joaquin Co.) From The Lower Sacramento Road Bridge To The Mouth. For Purposes Of This Subsection, This River Segment Is Defned As Mokelumne River And Its Tributary Sloughs Downstream Of The Lower Sacramento Road Bridge And East Of Highway 160 And North Of Highway 12Out of season
- Season opens
- Jul 16
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
North Fork Smith River From The Mouth To Stony Creek
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
North Fork Smith River, From The Mouth To Stony Creek
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Smith RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 22"
jack Chinook salmon is defined as any Chinook salmon that is less than 22 inches total length
Smith River (Del Norte Co.) Main Stem From The Mouth To Confuence Of Middle And South Forks
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
South Fork Eel River From Mouth To Rattlesnake Creek.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
South Fork Eel River From Mouth To Rattlesnake Creek. Also See Low-Flow Restrictions, Subsection 8.00(A).Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- May 22
- Season closes
- Mar 31
Catch and release of ChinookSalmon.
South Fork Smith River From The Mouth Upstream Approximately 1,000 Feet To The County Road (George Tryon) Bridge And Craigs Creek To Jones Creek
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
South Fork Smith River, From The Mouth Upstream Approximately 1,000 Feet To The County Road (George Tryon) Bridge And Craigs Creek To Jones Creek
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
South Fork Trinity River Downstream Of The South Fork Trinity River Bridge At Hyampom To The Confluence With The Trinity RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
South Of Pigeon Point To U.s./Mexico Border
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/person
- Possession
- 2 fish/person
Spit Area (Within 100 Yards Of The Channel Through The Sand Spit Formed At The Klamath River Mouth)Open
- Status
- Permitted
All legally caught Chinook Salmon must be retained. Once the adult (greater than 23 inches) component of the total daily bag limit has been retained, anglers must cease fishing in the spit area.
The Main Stem Of The American And Feather RiversOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Filleting exception from July 1 through December 31
Trinity RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon from Sep. 1 through Dec. 31
Trinity River Downstream Of The Old Lewiston Bridge To The Confluence Of The South Fork Trinity RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon from Jul. 1 through Aug. 31
Trinity River Main Stem Downstream Of The Denny Road Bridge At Hawkins Bar To The Mouth Of The South Fork Trinity RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Sep 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon Sep. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon. This is the cumulative quota for subsections 6.e. and 6.f. of this table. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon Sep. 1 through Dec. 31,2025.This is the cumulative quota for subsections 6.e. and 6.f. of this table.
Trinity River Main Stem Downstream Of The Highway 299 West Bridge At Cedar Flat To The Denny Road Bridge At Hawkins BarClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Jul 1
- Season closes
- Aug 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon
Trinity River Main Stem Downstream Of The Mouth Of The South Fork Trinity River To The Confluence With The Klamath RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Sep 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon Sep. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon. This is the cumulative quota for subsections 6.e. and 6.f. of this table. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon Sep. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025 . This is the cumulative quota for subsections 6.e. and 6.f. of this table.
Trinity River Main Stem Downstream Of The Old Lewiston Bridge To The Highway 299 West Bridge At Cedar FlatClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Sep 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Closed to the take and possession of Chinook Salmon Sep. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon. Fall-run Quota: 0 Chinook Salmon Sep. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025.
Van Duzen River. Main Stem From Its Junction With The Eel River To The End Of Golden Gate Drive Near Bridgeville (Approximately 4,000 Feet Upstream From The Little Golden Gate Bridge).Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Van Duzen River. Main Stem From Its Junction With The Eel River To The End Of Golden Gate Drive Near Bridgeville (Approximately 4,000 Feet Upstream From The Little Golden Gate Bridge). Also See Low-Flow Restrictions, Subsection 8.00(A).Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- May 22
- Season closes
- Mar 31
Catch and release of ChinookSalmon.
Salmon
Anadromous Waters Of Tehama And Shasta Cos. Not Listed In The Special Regulations. (Section 7.40). (See Subsections (B)(80) Of Section 7.40, Regarding The Sacramento River.)Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
All
- Gear
- No Sinkers Or Weights Exceeding Four Pounds
except that a fishing line may be attached to a sinker or weight of any size if such sinker or weight is suspended by a separate line and the fishing line is released automatically by a mechanical device from the sinker or weight when any fish is hooked
All Anadromous Waters Except Those Listed By Name In Section 7.40, Special RegulationsClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
All Anadromous Waters Except Those Listed By Name In Section 7.40, Special Regulations (See Definition Of Anadromous Waters, Section 1.04)Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
All Anadromous Waters Except Those Listed By Name In Section 7.40, Special Regulations (See Defnition Of Anadromous Waters, Section 1.04)Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
All Anadromous Waters Tributary To Humboldt Bay, And North Of Humboldt Bay, Except Those Of The Klamath And Trinity River Systems And Those Listed By Name In The Special RegulationsClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
All Anadromous Waters Tributary To Humboldt Bay, And North Of Humboldt Bay, Except Those Of The Klamath And Trinity River Systems And Those Listed By Name In The Special Regulations.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
All Rivers And Associated Tributaries Above Lake ShastaClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
All Rivers And Associated Tributaries Above Lake Shasta.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
Anadromous Waters Of Tehama And Shasta Cos. Not Listed In The Section 7.40, Special Regulations.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
Anadromous Waters Of The KlamathOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Report card requirements apply to any person fishing for or taking Salmon
Anadromous Waters Of The Klamath, Trinity, And Smith River BasinsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Report card required for fishing or taking
Any Salmon Spawning AreaClosed
- Status
- Closed
No salmon may be taken or possessed when closed to salmon fishing
Between 40°10'00” N. Lat. And Point Arena (38°57'30” N. Lat.)
- Season opens
- Apr 4
- Daily bag
- 2 salmon per day
- Min size
- 20 inches total length
beginning April 4, 2026. Fishing is authorized 7 days per week.
Between Pigeon Point And Point Sur (36°18'00” N. Lat.)
- Season opens
- Apr 4
- Daily bag
- 2 salmon per day
- Min size
- 24 inches total length
beginning April 4, 2026. Fishing is authorized 7 days per week.
Between Point Arena And Pigeon Point (37°11'00” N. Lat.)
- Season opens
- Apr 4
- Daily bag
- 2 salmon per day
- Min size
- 24 inches total length
beginning April 4, 2026. Fishing is authorized 7 days per week.
Big Creek State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of salmon is allowed.
Big Flat State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of salmon by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
Double Cone Rock State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of salmon by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
Every Body Of Water Listed In Subsection (B)Closed
- Status
- Closed
Every body of water listed in subsection (b) is closed to the take of hatchery trout, hatchery steelhead, and salmon and to fishing for these species, unless otherwise noted.
Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
recreational take is allowed
KlamathOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Report card requirements apply to any person fishing for or taking this species regardless of whether a sport fishing license is required.
Klamath RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
A North Coast Salmon Report Card is required for any person fishing for salmon in the Klamath, Trinity and Smith Rivers or their tributaries.
Klamath River BasinsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Report card required for anadromous waters
Klamath-Trinity River SystemOpen
- Status
- Permitted
All anglers must have a North Coast Salmon Report Card in their possession while fishing for or taking salmon
North Of 40°10'00” N. Lat. (Near Cape Mendocino) And In Humboldt Bay
- Season opens
- May 1
- Daily bag
- 2 salmon per day
- Min size
- 20 inches total length
beginning May 1, 2026. Fishing is authorized 7 days per week.
North Of Point Conception (34°27'00" N. Lat.)
- Gear
- Angling Only
only one rod and line may be used by each angler fishing for salmon, or fishing from any boat or floating device with salmon on board
North Of Point Conception To 40°10'00" N. Lat. (Near Cape Mendocino)
- Gear
- Angling Only
subsection 27.80(a)(3) applies to each angler fishing for salmon or fishing from any boat or floating device with salmon on board
Ocean Between 40°10′00″ N. Lat. (Near Cape Mendocino) And Point Conception
- Gear
- Barbless
Ocean North Of Point Conception (34°27′00″ N. Lat.)
- Gear
- Barbless
Ocean Waters At The Eel River Mouth Bounded On The North By 40°40′24″ N. Lat. (Approximately 2 Nautical Miles North Of The Eel River Mouth), On The West By 124°21′24″ W. Long. (Approximately 2 Nautical Miles Offshore), And On The South By 40°36′24″ N. Lat. (Approximately 2 Nautical Miles South Of The Eel River Mouth)Closed
- Status
- Closed
during the months of August and September
Ocean Waters North Of Point Conception
- Gear
- One Rod
Salmon may be taken by angling with no more than one rod
On A Vessel In Ocean Waters
- Possession
- 1 daily bag limit
On Land
- Possession
- 2 daily bag limits
Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
recreational take is allowed
Point Arena State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Trolling
The recreational take of salmon by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
Point Buchon State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
recreational take is allowed
Point Lobos State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
recreational take is allowed
Point Reyes State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Trolling
The recreational take of salmon by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] and Dungeness crab by trap is allowed.
Point St. George Reef Offshore State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of salmon by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
Point Sur State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
recreational take is allowed
Reading Rock State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of salmon by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
Samoa State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of salmon by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
Saunders Reef State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Trolling
The recreational take of salmon by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
Smith RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
All anglers must have a North Coast Salmon Report Card in their possession while fishing for or taking salmon
Smith River BasinsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Report card requirements apply to any person fishing for or taking this species regardless of whether a sport fishing license is required.
Smith River SystemOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Required for any person taking salmon
South Of Point Sur
- Season opens
- Apr 4
- Daily bag
- 2 salmon per day
- Min size
- 24 inches total length
beginning April 4, 2026. Fishing is authorized 7 days per week.
Southeast Farallon Island State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Trolling
The recreational take of salmon by trolling [subsection 27.80(a)(3)] is allowed.
That Portion Of Any Stream West Of Any Highway 1 Bridge Except Those Listed By Name In Section 7.40, Special RegulationsClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
That Portion Of Any Stream West Of Any Highway 1 Bridge Except Those Listed By Name In Section 7.40, Special Regulations.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of salmon.
TrinityOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Report card requirements apply to any person fishing for or taking this species regardless of whether a sport fishing license is required.
Trinity RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
A North Coast Salmon Report Card is required for any person fishing for salmon in the Klamath, Trinity and Smith Rivers or their tributaries.
Trinity River BasinsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Report card required for anadromous waters
California statewideClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
It shall be unlawful to sell or possess for sale any salmon marked pursuant to this section.
Hatchery Trout Or Hatchery Steelhead
Sacramento River From The Deschutes Road Bridge To Woodson BridgeOut of season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Sacramento River From The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights Landing To The Carquinez Bridge (Includes Suisun Bay, Grizzly Bay And All Tributary Sloughs West Of Highway 160)Out of season
- Season opens
- Dec 17
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Sacramento River From 650 Feet Below Keswick Dam To The Highway 44 BridgeOut of season
- Season opens
- Aug 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Sacramento River From The Highway 44 Bridge To The Deschutes Road Bridge
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Sacramento River From Woodson Bridge To The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights LandingOut of season
- Season opens
- Dec 17
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Sacramento River From 650 Feet Below Keswick Dam To The Highway 44 Bridge.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Sacramento River From The Highway 44 Bridge To The Deschutes Road Bridge.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Sacramento River From The Deschutes Road Bridge To Woodson Bridge.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Sacramento River From Woodson Bridge To The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights Landing.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
Sacramento River From The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights Landing To The Carquinez Bridge (Includes Suisun Bay, Grizzly Bay And All Tributary Sloughs West Of Highway 160).
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
All Species
Sacramento River From Keswick Dam To 650 Feet Below Keswick DamClosed
- Status
- Closed
all year
Sacramento River And Northern DeltaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Safe Eating Guidelines
Sacramento River From Woodson Bridge To The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights Landing.Out of season
- Season opens
- Dec 17
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Sacramento River From The Highway 113 Bridge Near Knights Landing To The Carquinez Bridge (Includes Suisun Bay, Grizzly Bay And All Tributary Sloughs West Of Highway 160).Out of season
- Season opens
- Dec 17
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Sacramento River And Tidewater Of Tributaries Downstream From Interstate 80 BridgeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Chumming is permitted
Sacramento River And Tidewater Of Tributaries Downstream From The Highway 32 Bridge Near Hamilton CityOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Fin fish (except for trout and salmon) lawfully taken in these waters by angling or with bait fish methods approved in Section 4.05 may be used, only in the waters where taken
Sacramento River From Keswick Dam To The Highway 162 BridgeClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Gear
- No Live Bait
It is unlawful to take any sturgeon. It is unlawful to use lamprey or any type of shrimp as bait.
Butte Creek (Butte And Sutter Cos.) From The Oro-Chico Road Bridge Crossing South Of Chico To The Point That Butte Creek Enters The Sacramento River Both Via Butte Slough Outfall Gates At Moon’s Bend And Through Butte Slough, Thence Both The East And West Canals Of The Sutter Bypass, Thence Sacramento Slough.Open
- Status
- Permitted
Open to fishing for non-salmonids only.
Sacramento River From 650 Feet Below Keswick Dam To The Highway 44 BridgeClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Gear
- Barbless
from Apr. 1 through Jul. 31
Sacramento River From The Highway 44 Bridge To The Deschutes Road Bridge
- Gear
- Barbless
From The Oro-Chico Road Bridge Crossing South Of Chico To The Point That Butte Creek Enters The Sacramento River Both Via Butte Slough Outfall Gates At Moon’s Bend And Through Butte Slough, Thence Both The East And West Canals Of The Sutter Bypass, Thence Sacramento Slough.Open year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Sacramento River From Keswick Dam To 650 Feet Below Keswick Dam.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Sacramento River From 650 Feet Below Keswick Dam To The Highway 44 Bridge.Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Aug 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Gear
- Barbless
from Apr. 1 through Jul. 31
Sacramento River From The Highway 44 Bridge To The Deschutes Road Bridge.
- Gear
- Barbless
Sacramento River From The Deschutes Road Bridge To Woodson Bridge.Out of season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Trout
Sacramento River And Tributaries From Scarlett Way Bridge Downstream To The County Bridge At SweetbriarIn season
- Season opens
- Oct 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 trout
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Butte Creek (Butte And Sutter Cos.) From The Oro-Chico Road Bridge Crossing South Of Chico To The Point That Butte Creek Enters The Sacramento River Both Via Butte Slough Outfall Gates At Moon’s Bend And Through Butte Slough, Thence Both The East And West Canals Of The Sutter Bypass, Thence Sacramento Slough.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout and steelhead.
Sacramento River And Tributaries From Box Canyon Dam Downstream To The Scarlett Way Bridge In DunsmuirClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Gear
- Barbless
Reshaped from bag_limit=0 (closure marker)
Sacramento River And Tributaries From The County Bridge At Sweetbriar Downstream To Shasta Lake
- Daily bag
- 2 trout
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Sacramento River And Tributaries From The County Bridge At Sweetbriar Downstream To Shasta Lake.
- Daily bag
- 2 trout
- Gear
- Artificial Only
From The Oro-Chico Road Bridge Crossing South Of Chico To The Point That Butte Creek Enters The Sacramento River Both Via Butte Slough Outfall Gates At Moon’s Bend And Through Butte Slough, Thence Both The East And West Canals Of The Sutter Bypass, Thence Sacramento Slough.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout and steelhead.
Steelhead
Butte Creek (Butte And Sutter Cos.) From The Oro-Chico Road Bridge Crossing South Of Chico To The Point That Butte Creek Enters The Sacramento River Both Via Butte Slough Outfall Gates At Moon’s Bend And Through Butte Slough, Thence Both The East And West Canals Of The Sutter Bypass, Thence Sacramento Slough.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout and steelhead.
From The Oro-Chico Road Bridge Crossing South Of Chico To The Point That Butte Creek Enters The Sacramento River Both Via Butte Slough Outfall Gates At Moon’s Bend And Through Butte Slough, Thence Both The East And West Canals Of The Sutter Bypass, Thence Sacramento Slough.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout and steelhead.
All Anadromous Waters Of The Klamath River Basin And Trinity River Downstream Of Lewiston DamClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout and steelhead
All Wild SteelheadCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
must be released unharmed. Wild steelhead are identified by having an intact adipose fin.
Anadromous WatersOpen
- Status
- Permitted
All anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for or taking steelhead
Laguna De Santa Rosa (Sonoma Co. Tributary To Russian River) Upstream From Guerneville Road BridgeClosed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout and steelhead.
Ocean WatersClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Other prohibited saltwater species (in ocean waters)
Salmon Creek Main Stem Above Highway 1 And All Salmon Creek Tributaries.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout and steelhead.
San Diego Creek (Orange Co.). Downstream Of The Macarthur Blvd. Bridge Only.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout, and steelhead.
San Gabriel River (Los Angeles And Orange Cos.) Upstream Of The Highway 22 Bridge To The Start Of Concrete-Lined Portion Of The River Channel.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout and steelhead.
Santa Rosa Creek (Sonoma Co. Tributary To Russian River) From Laguna De Santa Rosa To Highway 12 Bridge.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to the take of trout, and steelhead.
Inland White Sturgeon
From The West Carquinez Bridge East To Downstream Of The Confluence Of The Feather River On The Sacramento River And Downstream Of The I-5 Bridge On The San Joaquin RiverIn season
- Season opens
- Oct 1
- Season closes
- Jun 30
Upstream Of The Confuence Of The Feather River To The Highway 162 Bridge On The Sacramento River And - Upstream Of The I 5 Bridge On The San Joaquin RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Oct 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Hatchery Trout
Anadromous Waters Of Tehama And Shasta Cos. Not Listed In The Special Regulations. (Section 7.40). (See Subsections (B)(80) Of Section 7.40, Regarding The Sacramento River.)
- Season closes
- Nov 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Barbless
White Sturgeon
Sacramento River From The Keswick Dam Down To The Hwy 162 BridgeClosed
- Status
- Closed
Upstream Of The Confluence Of The Feather River To The Highway 162 Bridge On The Sacramento River And Upstream Of The I-5 Bridge On The San Joaquin River
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Sacramento River From Keswick Dam To The Highway 162 Bridge (Shasta, Tehama, Butte And Glenn Counties)Closed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Gear
- No Live Bait
It is unlawful to use lamprey or any type of shrimp as bait.
Coho Salmon
Klamath-Trinity River SystemOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Ocean WatersClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Other prohibited saltwater species
South Of Pigeon Point, San Mateo County, To The Us-Mexico BorderClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
may not be taken or possessed
Non-Salmonids
Butte Creek (Butte And Sutter Cos.). From The Oro-Chico Road Bridge Crossing South Of Chico To The Point That Butte Creek Enters The Sacramento River Both Via Butte Slough Outfall Gates At Moon’s Bend And Through Butte Slough, Thence Both The East And West Canals Of The Sutter Bypass, Thence Sacramento Slough.Open
- Status
- Open
From The Oro-Chico Road Bridge Crossing South Of Chico To The Point That Butte Creek Enters The Sacramento River Both Via Butte Slough Outfall Gates At Moon’s Bend And Through Butte Slough, Thence Both The East And West Canals Of The Sutter Bypass, Thence Sacramento Slough.Open
- Status
- Open
Open to fishing for non-salmonids only.
Plus 4 more species. See the California pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Sacramento River?
CDFW regulates fishing on Sacramento River.
What species can I target on Sacramento River?
Sacramento River is best known for salmon, steelhead. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
When was this last updated?
These rules were last verified against CDFW on 2026-05-06. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .