Salmon season will open here on April 4 with a limit of two per day, four in possession, and a 24" minimum size. After April there will likely be different regulations, but there won't be a decision on that until April 17. If history is any indicator the fish will be out deep, but other signs like warm water and continued squid spawning would seem to suggest that there may be some near shore fish. Today the beach had squid egg sacs scattered all over, so the spawning is definitely happening. If you come for the salmon but the wind is blowing (and really, what are the chances of that?) the surfperch are biting, at least. Also, I heard that some scuba divers speared three halibut by Hog Island this weekend. That would be three more than normal for this time of year but the water is not normal, so who knows? Never let the truth get in the way of a good story, I was told.

It is now finally official; the new rockfish rules are in effect. Here's from the official press release : The open season dates and allowable fishing depths for the recreational Groundfish Management Areas are as follows:

"Northern - Open May 15 through Oct. 31, in 20 fathoms (120 feet) or less
Mendocino - Open May 15 through Oct. 31, in 20 fathoms (120 feet) or less
San Francisco - Open April 15 through Dec. 31, in 30 fathoms (180 feet) or less
Central - Open April 1 through Dec. 31, in 40 fathoms (240 feet) or less
Southern - Open March 1 through Dec. 31, in 60 fathoms (360 feet) or less
Staff from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) worked closely with recreational stakeholders to develop the regulations prior to submission to and approval by the Commission. "The changes are designed to allow as much fishing opportunity as possible while remaining within allowable catch limits," said Marci Yaremko, CDFW's State/Federal Fisheries Program Manager. "However, as we do each year, we will be closely monitoring catches up and down the state during the open season to ensure we don't exceed any limits."

Other changes include:
An increase in the lingcod bag limit from two to three fish
A sub-bag limit of five black rockfish within the 10-fish Rockfish, Cabezon, Greenling (RCG) complex bag limit
Statewide closure of the California scorpionfish fishery from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31
Take and possession of bronzespotted rockfish, canary rockfish, cowcod and yelloweye rockfish will remain prohibited statewide."

Keep in mind that depth limitation isn't actually about the depth but that special line I posted several weeks back and you'll be fine.  Also, looks like salmon should open on April 4th. Minimum size and limits to be determined. The summer salmon season looks like it will be a good one, better than last year, even. I thought last year was pretty good, so I'm excited for summer.
The crabbing has been mostly slow with occasional greatness for a lucky few. Most boaters have just been bringing in a few but every couple of weeks someone loads up. The outer bay was the hot spot a day ago. The perch are still running in the surf and a couple of stripers were caught as well. Schools of large jacksmelt are passing by the pier and they like the pink sabikis.