State Allows Sacramento Valley Salmon Season

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- For the first time in four years, state wildlife officials are allowing a six-month Chinook salmon fishing season in Sacramento Valley rivers.

The California Fish and Game Commission on Thursday set a July 16 opening date for salmon fishing in the Sacramento, American and Feather rivers. It will run through mid-December on all but two stretches of the American.

Because of a rebound in salmon populations, fishermen will have a lengthy season this year for the first time since populations declined to record lows.

Commissioner Richard Rogers told the Sacramento Bee the fall run should be of sufficient size to open the season a month earlier than staff had proposed.

The earlier opening is meant to support fishing businesses suffering from cancelled or shortened seasons in the past few years.

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