Article 4. Salmon of California Fish And Game Code >> Division 6. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 4.

Except as modified by the director pursuant to Section 7652, salmon may be taken under authority of a commercial fishing license and a commercial fishing salmon stamp only in Districts 6, 7, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, and 19. All species of salmon, except silver salmon, may be taken only between April 15 and September 30. Silver salmon may be taken only between May 15 and September 30. No king salmon may be possessed that is less than 26 inches in length and no silver salmon may be possessed that is less than 22 inches. The length of salmon is to be measured from the tip of the snout to the extreme tip of the tail without resorting to any force other than swinging or fanning the tail. Salmon may be taken for commercial purposes only by hook and line and there is no bag limit.

During the period when salmon may not be taken for commercial purposes in any district, salmon may be sold in that district only under the regulations of the commission.

It is unlawful to take salmon for commercial purposes at the mouth of Humboldt Bay in those portions of Districts 6 and 7 within three nautical miles north and south of a line drawn due west for three nautical miles from the center of the mouth of that bay.

Silver salmon may not be sold or possessed in, or transported through, District 6, 7, 10, 11, 16, 17, or 18, during the time when the taking of silver salmon for commercial purposes is unlawful in those districts.

Salmon may be sold subject to the exceptions and restrictions contained in this article.

It is unlawful to gaff, club, otherwise injure, or possess any king or silver salmon under the legal size.

Salmon may not be taken for commercial purposes in District 6 at the mouths of the Smith and Klamath Rivers within three nautical miles north and south of a line drawn due west for three nautical miles from the center of the mouth of each of those streams, or during the months of August and September in District 7 at the mouth of the Eel River within two nautical miles north and south of a line drawn due west for two nautical miles from the center of the mouth of that stream.

(a) Notwithstanding any measurement requirements under this code, and to implement the department's salmon tagging program, any person in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose fin, the small, fleshy fin on the back of the fish between the back fin and the tail, upon request by an authorized agent or employee of the department, shall immediately relinquish the head of the salmon to the state, at no charge, for recovery of any coded-wire tag. The head may be removed by the fish owner or, if removed by the official department representative, the head shall be removed in a manner to minimize loss of salmon flesh and the salmon shall immediately be returned to the rightful owner.
  (b) It is unlawful to intentionally conceal, cull, or release into the waters, a salmon with a missing adipose fin that it is otherwise legal to possess.