The Pacific Fishery Management Council, during their meeting on April 4-8 in Portland, proposed the extension of the salmon fishing this season as long as it complied with the Endangered Species Act standards.
"We were able to extend the salmon fishing this year from 1 to 3 weeks because the season started two weeks later than usual, which has helped to protect the winter and spring runs," said Roger Thomas, President of Golden Gate Fisherman's Association. The season from Horse Mountain to Point Arena and from Point Arena to Pigeon Point was extended by one week, while the season south of Pigeon Point was extended by three weeks.
The restrictions as adopted by the Council, subject to final approval by the Secretary of Commerce, are as follows:
Horse Mt. to Pt. Arena:
Feb. 12 thru July 6 and July 22 thru Nov.12. All salmon except coho. 2 fish per day. Minimum size limit 24 inches thru May 31 and 20 inches thereafter. Gear restrictions B.4. and B.5. apply (one rod per angler; no more than 2 hooks; circle hooks required when fishing by any means other than trolling)
* In 2001, the season opens Feb. 17 (nearest Sat. to Feb. 15) for all salmon except coho. 2 fish per day, 24 inch minimum size limit and the same gear restrictions as in 2000.
Pt. Arena to Pigeon Pt:
Apr. 15 thru Nov. 5. All salmon except coho. 2 fish per day, 24 inch minimum thru May 31 and 20 inches thereafter. Gear restrictions B.4., B.5.a., and B.5.b. apply (one rod per angler; no more than 2 hooks;circle hooks required when fishing by any means other than trolling).
* In 2001, the season will open Apr. 14 for all salmon except coho. 2 fish per day, 24 inch minimum size limit and the same gear restrictions as in 2000.
Pigeon Point to U.S.-Mexico border:
Apr. 1 thru Oct. 1 all salmon except coho. 2 fish per day. Minimum size limit 24 inches thru May 31 and 20 inches thereafter. North of Pt. Conception, gear restrictions B.4., B.5.a., and B.5.b. apply (one rod per angler; no more than 2 hooks; circle hooks required when fishing by any means other than trolling).
* In 2001, season opens March 31 for all salmon except coho, 2 fish per day, 24 inch minimum size limit and the same gear restrictions as in 2000.
The Humbug Mt. to Horse Mt season, in the special Klamath Management Zone, will remain the same. The proposed regulations are as follows:
May 27 thru July 6, one fish per day; and July 29 thru Sept. 10, two fish per day. All salmon except coho. No more than 4 fish in 7 consecutive days. Klamath Control Zone (B.6.) closed. Gear restrictions B.4. and B.5.a. apply (one rod per angler and no more than 2 hooks).
Federal salmon managers also boosted the quota for a recreational ocean salmon fishery this summer. They adopted a quota of 20,000 hatchery coho during a five day per week season this July off the central Oregon coast. Bob Fletcher, council member, feels that this may give anglers hope that the days of dwindling salmon runs will someday end.
