Friday June 12, 2026
KRCR —
As Northern California’s recreational salmon season ramps up, the U.S. Coast Guard says they are increasing patrols to help keep anglers safe and ensure boaters are following federal and state safety regulations.
This marks the second recreational salmon season after several years of closures, bringing more boat traffic to the water as anglers head out in search of salmon. The Coast Guard says their focus during the busy season will be less about fishing violations and more about making sure boaters are prepared before leaving the dock.
According to Humboldt Bay Surface Operations Chief Scott Bock, some of the biggest violations seen during Northern California’s salmon season involve missing required safety gear and paperwork.
Bock said officers also regularly encounter boaters without vessel documentation and registration paperwork onboard.
The Coast Guard says the most common citations involve not carrying required safety equipment for the size of the vessel or the number of people onboard.