[env-trinity] Trinity Journal: DFG opts for longer salmon season; expects banner year

[Tom Stokely]

http://www.trinityjournal.com/sports/outdoors/article_73054104-8e8f-11e1-8408-001a4bcf6878.html 
DFG opts for longer salmon season; expects banner year

Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 6:15 am
The Fish and Game Commission adopted inland salmon fishing regulations for the Klamath-Trinity rivers at its April 18 meeting. Longer seasons and increased fishing opportunities are the hallmarks of what is expected to be a banner season for ocean and river anglers.
"We are optimistic that excellent ocean and inland salmon seasons lie ahead for California anglers," said Department of Fish and Game Director Charlton H. Bonham. "This could be one of the best salmon seasons in a decade, supporting both recreational and commercial fishermen and their communities."
The newly adopted ocean salmon sport fishing regulations conform to those adopted by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council. The opening date in the Klamath Management Zone is May 1. All other zones are currently open. Complete ocean salmon regulations are posted at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon.asp.
On the Trinity and Klamath rivers the daily bag limit is four chinook of any size and eight in possession prior to reaching the quota. All anglers must have Salmon Harvest Cards in their possession when fishing for salmon on the Klamath and Trinity rivers.
Key elements of the newly adopted inland salmon seasons and regulations for the Klamath and Trinity rivers are listed below. The full regulations package approved by the Commission is available at www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/2012/index.aspx.
TRINITY RIVER
Open to fall-run chinook salmon fishing from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 with a daily bag limit of four chinook salmon of any size. The possession limit is eight chinook salmon of any size. The 2012 quota for the Klamath River basin is 67,600 fall-run salmon more than 22 inches long. Once this quota has been met, no chinook salmon greater than 22 inches long may be retained (anglers may still retain a limit of chinook salmon under 22 inches). A weekly DFG status report will be available by calling 1-800-564-6479. The Trinity River main stem downstream of the Highway 299 Bridge at Cedar Flat to the Denny Road Bridge in Hawkins Bar is closed to all fishing Sept. 1 through Dec. 31.
Open to spring-run chinook salmon fishing from Jan. 1 through Aug. 31. The daily bag and possession limit is two chinook salmon. The take of salmon is prohibited from the confluence of the South Fork Trinity River downstream to the confluence of the Klamath River from Jan. 1 through Aug. 31.
KLAMATH RIVER
Open to fall-run chinook salmon fishing from Aug. 15 through Dec. 31 with a daily bag limit of four chinook salmon of any size. The possession limit is eight chinook salmon of any size. The 2012 quota for the Klamath River basin is 67,600 fall-run salmon more than 22 inches long. Once this quota has been met, no chinook salmon greater than 22 inches long may be retained (anglers may still retain a limit of chinook salmon under 22 inches). A weekly DFG status report will be available by calling 1-800-564-6479.
Open to spring-run chinook salmon fishing from Jan. 1 through Aug. 14 with a daily bag and possession limit of two salmon. The take of salmon is prohibited on the Klamath River from Iron Gate Dam downstream to Weitchpec from Jan. 1 through Aug. 14.
All other regulations for bag and possession limits for trout, salmon and other species, as well as general information about restrictions on fishing methods and gear on the above rivers, are available on the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations.

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