Salmon fishing is back in the San Francisco Bay Area. After the closed seasons of recent years, CDFW and the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) reopened recreational ocean salmon fishing for 2026 under tight harvest guidelines. Off San Francisco, the fall season runs September 1 to October 31, and salmon fishing closes statewide from November 1, 2026.
California 2026 king (Chinook) salmon season dates
San Francisco area
- Summer (Point Arena to Pigeon Point): June 27 to July 22, and August 1 to 23. The schedule originally ran through August 31, but NOAA closed August 24 to 31 by in-season action when the area neared its harvest guideline of 34,900 Chinook.
- Fall (38°02′ N, near Point Reyes, to Pigeon Point): September 1 to October 31. The fall zone starts at Point Reyes, not Point Arena. It shares a 20,000-Chinook harvest guideline with the zone to the south, so it can close early.
- From November 1, 2026: closed statewide until the 2027 openers.
- 2027: CDFW and PFMC set next year’s seasons in spring 2027.
Seasons can change in-season. Before you go, check the CDFW Ocean Salmon Hotline, (707) 576-3429, or the CDFW ocean salmon page.
Every California management area, 2026
| Area | Dates | Harvest guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klamath Management Zone | June 13 to July 19, August 1 to 31 | 3,900 | Guideline reached, August closed |
| Fort Bragg | June 13 to July 19, August 1 to 9 | 5,100 | Guideline reached, August 10 to 31 closed |
| San Francisco | June 27 to July 22, August 1 to 23 | 34,900 | August 24 to 31 closed in-season |
| Fall: Point Reyes (38°02′ N) to Pigeon Point | September 1 to October 31 | 20,000 shared | Open to October 31 |
| Monterey and south | April 11 to August 31 | 21,800 | Summer season ended |
| Fall: Pigeon Point to the Mexico border | September 1 to 30 | 20,000 shared | Closes September 30 |
Bag limits and rules
- 2 salmon per person per day, any species except coho.
- Minimum size 20 inches total length.
- Only one daily bag limit may be kept aboard a boat in ocean waters, and salmon may not be filleted on the boat.
- North of Point Conception: barbless hooks and one rod per angler.
- Between 40°10′ N and Point Conception, which includes San Francisco, circle hooks are required when fishing bait by any method other than trolling.
Can you fish for salmon inside San Francisco Bay?
San Francisco and San Pablo bays, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Carquinez Bridge, are part of CDFW’s Ocean and San Francisco Bay District, and the ocean salmon seasons are set by latitude. CDFW’s San Francisco Bay District page lists ocean salmon open September 1 to October 31, 2026 in this zone. Right now the salmon are in the ocean, so charters head out the Golden Gate to find them. Later in the season they may come into the Bay.
License: what you need, and what you don’t
- A California sport fishing license for everyone 16 or older. There is no exemption for charter passengers. 2026 prices: one-day $21.09 and two-day $32.40 (same for residents and nonresidents), annual $64.54 for residents and $174.14 for nonresidents, and a ten-day nonresident license for $64.54. Buy it online before your trip at wildlife.ca.gov.
- No Ocean Enhancement Validation is needed off San Francisco. It applies only south of Point Arguello, and never to one- or two-day licenses.
- No salmon report card is needed for ocean salmon. The North Coast Salmon Report Card covers only the Smith, Klamath and Trinity rivers.
More in the fishing license answer.
Gear and what to wear
Salmon off San Francisco are usually trolled, with downriggers or diving planers and herring, anchovy or hoochie-style lures. On a fishing charter with Molly’s Boats the rods, reels, tackle and bait are provided: bring your license, lunch, warm layers and a cooler to leave on the dock.
The Bay gets cold, even in summer, and it’s colder outside the Gate. Dress in layers with a windbreaker on top and wear non-slip shoes. The full list is in your first fishing charter on San Francisco Bay: what to bring, wear and expect.
Where to fish for salmon near San Francisco
The salmon grounds stretch from the Golden Gate out toward the Farallon Islands:
- Outside the Golden Gate: trolling lanes along the shelf.
- Duxbury Reef to Point Reyes: the northern grounds. In the fall season, the open zone starts near Point Reyes (38°02′ N).
- Half Moon Bay and Pacifica: the southern approach, north of Pigeon Point.
- The Farallon Islands: about 30 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge. See the Farallon Islands tour, or fish there for lingcod and rockfish on the Farallon Islands fishing charter.
King (Chinook) salmon are the main target in season, and what else you’ll find depends on the month and how far out you go. See what you can catch on San Francisco Bay, month by month.
Book the salmon charter
San Francisco Salmon Fishing Charter: a private 8-hour king salmon trip out the Golden Gate with Captain Molly, for up to 4 anglers, $2,400 for the whole boat. It leaves at 6:00 AM from Hyde Street Harbor at Fisherman’s Wharf. Rods, reels, tackle and bait are provided. Book online and pay in full at booking. Cancellation is free up to 7 days before the trip.
Outside the season, book a full-day fishing charter or give a salmon day for 2027 with a gift certificate. All trips: San Francisco fishing charters.
What else is happening on the Bay
- Whale watching: humpback and blue whales are around from spring through fall. Read whale watching in San Francisco and why whales are showing up sooner.
- Bay tours: see the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and Angel Island from the water on a private boat tour, or go farther with the Farallon Islands tour.
- Open water swimming: Captain Molly escorts Alcatraz and Bay swims. Read open water swim support: Alcatraz and Golden Gate crossings.
Questions? See the FAQ, or use the Ask Molly button on any trip page and Captain Molly replies in writing within 24 hours.
Molly’s Boats: San Francisco Bay fishing charters, boat tours and open water swim support aboard Miss Molly. About Captain Molly.
