2023 California Sacramento River Fall Chinook, Klamath River Fall Chinook Ocean and Inland Salmon

 

Updated
10:00 AM PDT on 6/6/2025

 

Application notices containing unique IDs were mailed on February 18, 2025, to eligible applicants in the following sectors:

  • Harvester (Troll)

  • Processor (Buyers)

  • Charter (CPFV)

Additionally, individuals and entities who purchased a guide license from CDFW between 2020–2023 and indicated they target salmon also received notices. Eligibility for the In-River Salmon Guide sector was determined based on responses to an affidavit/worksheet included with those notices.

The application portal was open for 90 days, launching at 12:00 PM PDT on Monday, March 3 and closed at 11:50 PM PDT on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

The application period is now closed.

PSMFC is currently finalizing the processing of submitted applications and verifying all associated information. Before relief checks can be issued, the Commission will complete a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) match with the IRS to ensure all payments are properly linked to valid Social Security Numbers (SSNs) or Employer Identification Numbers (EINs). This step is necessary to facilitate the issuance of 1099 tax forms in January 2026.

If a TIN match is successful, the relief payment for that applicant will be mailed promptly. However, if there is an issue with the SSN or EIN provided on a specific application, only that individual’s or entity’s check will be delayed until the issue is resolved. A Commission staff member will contact affected applicants directly.

Please ensure you continue monitoring the email address used during the application process for any follow-up communication.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has published estimated payment figures for the Harvester, Processor, and Charter sectors.

While PSMFC is administering this relief program, we did not participate in drafting or approving the estimated payments document.

For questions regarding these estimates, please contact CDFW directly:

In-River Salmon Guide Payments

Based on the applications received and the total funds allocated to the In-River Salmon Guide sector, CDFW has calculated and approved the following tiered payments. Every applicant within the same tier will receive the same payment amount, regardless of their individual gross revenues.

For example:
If John reported $6,668 and Bob reported $13,292, both would receive the Tier 2 payment of $5,276.13. This approach is outlined in the CDFW authored spend plan, which was reviewed / approved by multiple federal agencies.

Tier Average Gross Revenues
Tier 1 ≥ $6,667
Tier 2 $6,668 – $13,292
Tier 3 $13,293 – $27,557
Tier 4 ≤ $27,558

Tier % Allocation Allocated Funds # of Guides Individual Payment
1 10% $63,313.60 24 $2,638.06
2 20% $126,627.20 24 $5,276.13
3 30% $189,940.80 23 $8,258.29
4 40% $253,254.40 23 $11,011.06
Total 100% $633,136.00 94 —