The California Department of Fish and Game will reopen salmon fishing in the American River for the first time in two years.

"It should be a wonderful opportunity to get out and try and catch one of just those beautiful big fish returning from the ocean."

Harry Morse with the agency says they're hoping to see a lot of people fishing on opening day.

"But you know it's been two closed years and we'll just have to see how many anglers remember the desire to go salmon fishing."

Bob Burks with the Nimbus Fish Hatchery says they expect about 245,000 adult fall run Chinook to return to the Sacramento River system this autumn.

"The ocean conditions for feed have increased. That's one of the reasons we think things will be a little bit better."

But it'll be a short fishing season…only 28-days…so that most of the fall run can spawn at the hatchery.