The first commercially caught salmon were off-loaded at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco on Monday, June 21, 2021, after a June 16 opening for waters north of Pigeon Point.

“It seemed like it went pretty good,” said Russ Denman, skipper of the F/V Sea Pearl. Definitely some fish around.”

Holds of king salmon landed at the dock fell under the watchful eye of Larry Collins, executive director of the San Francisco Community Fishing Association, a local fishing and wholesale cooperative.

“Pretty nice grade! I bet it’s… a 13-pound average,” said Collins. “A lot of these will go to restaurants, the ones that are still with us.”

California’s San Francisco area commercial season is open June 16-30, and will be significantly more restricted than the 2020 season thereafter, opening July 17-22, August 1-17, and September 1-30. A typical summer salmon season would run May to October.

“These salmon are considered the best in the world because of the high incidence of shrimp-like krill in their diets,” said John McManus, president of the Golden State Salmon Association in San Francisco. “Watching the wharf buzzing with activity reminds everyone of the importance of salmon to San Francisco's fishing industry, which is still alive and kicking at the Fisherman's Wharf. It's a beautiful sight to see.”