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Salmon catch eased on two rivers

July 25, 2008 by Matt Weiser, Sacramento Bee

State wildlife officials have increased salmon and steelhead catch limits on the Klamath and Trinity rivers for the fishing season that starts Aug. 15.

The action is possible because fish runs on those rivers are strong this year. This makes up somewhat for a sharp decline in Central Valley salmon stocks, which prompted all other waters of the state to be closed to salmon fishing. The in-river catch allocation for fall-run Chinook on the Klamath River this year is 22,500 fish, more than double last year's allocation.

"It is excellent to have some good news on the salmon front," said Neil Manji, fisheries branch chief at the California Department of Fish and Game.

The daily bag limit on both rivers will be three fall-run Chinook salmon per angler, and no more than two may be adults over 22 inches long. The total possession limit is nine Chinook, with no more than six over 22 inches. Last year, the possession limit allowed only four adults. The season on the Klamath runs from Aug. 15 to Dec. 31, and on the Trinity from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31.

For spring-run Chinook, the daily bag and possession limit is two salmon. The season on the Klamath is from Jan. 1 to Aug. 14, and on the Trinity from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31.

The daily bag limit for steelhead is one hatchery steelhead on the Klamath and two on the Trinity, with a possession limit of four fish. The season is year-round.