Fall-run Chinook Salmon fisheries are currently open in several rivers in the Central Valley, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is reminding anglers to be aware of regulations regarding possession of spring-run Chinook salmon, as well as the bag and possession limits specific to the Mokelumne River.

Spring-run Chinook salmon are protected by both the state and federal Endangered Species Acts.

The largest population occurs in the Feather River where the Feather River Hatchery has a tagging program for this protected run.

Spring-run Chinook salmon are tagged and released in the low-flow channel of the Feather River to allow them the opportunity to spawn in an area of the river that is closed to fishing.

However, they sometimes stray from the closed section of the river and are subsequently caught and kept by anglers.

CDFW asks anglers to return any tagged spring-run Chinook Salmon to the river.

The bag limit for fall-run Chinook salmon on the Mokelumne River is two fish, and the possession limit is four fish, as per the 2018-2019 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.

The bag limit for fall-run Chinook salmon on the American, Feather and Sacramento rivers is one fish, and the possession limit is two fish, as per the 2018-2019 Supplement Sport Fishing Regulations.